Author's webpage: http://www.cybercomm.net/~rhiannon/sorkaslash.html

Author's disclaimer: All the characters contained within are the property of Pet Fly productions, Bilson&DeMeo, and Paramount. I'm just having a little fun and will return them when I'm finished. If you are under the age of 18 or are offended by m/m relationships... What are you doing here?

Author's notes: The original version of this story is called Shades of Black by DL. Witherspoon. She has graciously given me permission to used her concept for a slash story. There are a lot of parallels and a lot of changes. My thanks to her for being so generous. I love her series and recommend the original to those that are bi-fictional. An enormous thank you to Aaboe, Rivka and Indigo for betaing. I'm greatful for all that you did for me. If there are mistakes in it still, they are totally my own falt.

Degrees of Truth
by Sorka

Blair Sandburg climbed out of the cab with a tired smile. It had been a long trip and he was glad to finally be home. He paid the driver after getting his bags out of the back.

For a long moment he just stood outside the building at 852 Prospect, he was amazed at how much he has missed the place. With a sigh of relief he gathered his bags and headed inside to the elevator.

Blair opened the door to the loft, not surprised that his roommate, Jim Ellison, wasn't home yet. It was 4 PM on a Monday, the police detective wouldn't be home for several hours yet. He wondered idly how the Sorenson case had gone while he was away.

It was that horrible case that had kept his partner from coming with him on the anthropology conference in Tulsa. Not that Jim would have been really interested in meeting a bunch of scientists, but it would have taken him away from Cascade and away from the stress of the job.

Blair dragged his bags into his room and smiled at the fact that Jim had kept his promise and had not tried to clean his room while he was away. He debated on whether he should unpack, take a nap, or take a shower first. In the end he showered, the hours of air travel made him feel slimy, and he was sure Jim would appreciate the gesture. The unpacking could wait until he got some sleep.

Jim was tired, mentally as well as physically. The past week without his partner had been rough, almost the point that he regretted sending Blair on without him. His partner had offered to stay at home, foregoing the conference in deference to his duty as Jim's Guide. But Jim refused to let Blair miss 'another' important conference for him.

He had never wanted to admit needing a partner, but in the past several years, Blair had become vital to him. Not only at work, but in his life. Jim was a Sentinel, a person with all five of his senses heightened beyond that of normal humans. Because of his unique genetic advantage, he was often vulnerable.

Blair had started out just wanting to study him and to help him gain control of the sensory overload that was threatening to send him over the edge and straight into the loony bin. After three years Blair was a lot more. He was the most trusted person in Jim's life, guiding him, protecting him at times, keeping his senses a secret from everyone.

He knew Blair needed the time away. As an anthropologist he wasn't trained to deal with the daily horrors that they faced as a police officer. The Sorenson case had ended badly, leaving a house in flames and a suspect dead. The case was closed, thankfully, due to a signed confession found at the scene. Jim was glad that Blair had not been there to witness James Sorenson, the victim's husband, immolate himself with a kerosene and a lighter.

He shook the image out of his mind, there were better things to think about than the death of a man who had killed his own wife. Blair was going to be home today, if his flight was on time, he'd already be home.

That brought a smile to Ellison's features, he had missed Blair with an ache that was almost unbearable. He had more than once considered hopping a plane and joining him, but the case needed to be solved, more than he needed to be comforted, even if that comfort was just the physical presence of his guide.

He parked the '69 Ford in his usual spot and headed for the entrance next to Collette's Bakery. He stopped before making it inside when he spotted a long black limousine coming around the corner of the building. He felt his stomach lurch when it stopped directly in front of him.

The door in the back opened letting out a tall man in a new Armani suit. Blue eyes met brown for a long unblinking moment. "What are you doing here, Adam?" Jim demanded in a low growl.

"You need to come home, James." The man said seriously. "There is a crisis." Jim raised his hand cutting off the other man's words.

"Come up stairs and tell me, the street is no place for whatever it is. Tell the driver to pull around the side of the building, he'll draw to much attention sitting there." He turned and without waiting headed up the stairs.

Blair had slept for several hours. When he awoke, he noticed that it was getting quite late. Thinking that Jim would want to eat when he got home he rummaged around until he found enough food to make a decent stir-fry.

He smiled when he heard keys open the door. The smile broadened at the sight of his Sentinel walking into the loft, but quickly faded as two men, in dark suits followed. "Jim? What's going on?"

Jim gave Blair a look that he couldn't fathom, it was as though he were asking him for forgiveness, as the older man moved to greet him with a quick hug. "How was your flight home, Chief?"

"It was fine, I got some sleep after I got home." Blair replied, his expressive eyes filled with concern. "Who are these guys?"

"I'm sorry, Chief. I was hoping that I had more time to prepare you for this," Jim said softly. "My past has come back to haunt me." He turned back to the two men. "What is the situation, that you and Father can't handle it?"

"Father can't do much of anything at the moment." Adam said. "Someone has attempted to kill him. He is in intensive care, and unable to lead."

Jim closed his eyes for a moment, "What is the prognosis?"

"He'll survive, but until he recovers, you must fulfill your duty to the Family."

Jim's eyes shot open, showing a cold fire within their depths. "I am well aware of my duties. I have always done them, regardless of whether the rest of you believe that."

Adam nodded and produced a wide banded ring of gold. Jim gave Blair an apologetic glance before extending his left hand. As Adam slipped the ring on Jim's ring finger, Blair got an absurd impulse to hum the theme from The Godfather.

That impulse died stillborn as both men before Jim knelt one at a time, kissed the ring and said, "I pledge my loyalty to you, Elder."

Blair stood in shock, completely dumbfounded by what he was witnessing. Everything he had ever known about his friend, partner, and roommate was thrown off kilter. While he was trying to gather his scattered wits he listened to the conversation taking place in front of him.

"Adam," Jim said in a tone not to be argued with. "I want you to go downstairs and take the limo for a spin for about a half hour."

"James, you're not planning on sneaking away are you?" Adam asked mildly.

"If that were the case I would never have accepted this," Jim indicated the ring adorning his finger. "I simply need time to prepare, if you have a problem with that you can take it up with Father after he recovers. Until then I'm the one you answer to, or have you forgotten already?"

Adam shrank back a little in response to Jim's deadly tone. "I'll return in a half an hour Elder." He turned and left, taking his escort with him.

Jim turned to Blair, "We don't have much time, so if you have any questions I suggest you ask them now."

Blair found his voice, his wits, and a good deal of anger to go with it. "Yeah, I got a few. Like, who the hell are those guys? What is your connection to them and what the hell was with that 'Elder' thing?"

"Adam is my brother," Jim began moving to pull his old, rarely used suitcase out from under the stairs. "The guy with him was his body guard."

"Brother? In what sense?" Blair asked heatedly. "Cause I think Stephen might be surprised to find out about this sibling."

Jim paused and looked Blair square in the eyes. "I'll give you the easiest explanation, you can ask me anything you like afterward." He took a breath. "He and I are part of an organization called the Family. What we do is too complicated to get into, but I took an oath long ago to take this responsibility when it was time. Hopefully this will only be for a week or so, then Father can resume his duties."

"What about your oath as a police officer?" Blair asked, anger draining away when he saw how much this whole thing was upsetting Jim. "Doesn't working for this group conflict with that?"

"I pledged myself to the Family long before I took that oath, Blair." Jim replied softly. "I am fully aware of any conflicts that may come with from my decisions." He came to stand before the younger man. "The only regret I have is not having told you sooner."

Blair looked up into his partner's eyes. "You were going to tell me?" he asked.

Jim brushed a finger along Blair's jaw line. "You're my partner, Blair. It was wrong to keep this from you this long, but I just wanted to have a normal life as long as I could."

"Why didn't you tell me before?" Blair wondered aloud.

Jim looked away, "I was afraid that once you knew this part of me, you would leave."

Blair felt his heart contract, realizing how hard this must have been to admit. "I hate to break it to you, but short of you personally beating me to a bloody pulp, I doubt anything could force me to leave you."

"I won't make you stay if you can't handle this." Jim said.

"Let me be the judge of what I can't handle, for now. Besides do you think I'm crazy enough to let you go off on your own with a bunch of rejects from the Godfather?" Blair shook his head. "I guess its a good thing I'm still packed. I'd hate to have gone to all that work just to do it again so soon."

"Thanks, Chief," Jim said in relief. "Now let me pack, I'll be down in a few minutes. Why don't you reheat dinner and we'll eat when I'm done."

Blair managed a smile. "No problem partner."

Jim opened his closet and took stock of what he had. He pulled out his best suit a from the back, where he stored it for special occasions. He placed several sweaters and slacks in the suit case. He realized that he would have to get a few more suits if this lasted longer than a few days.

He paused while reaching for a pare of slacks when he saw his own hand tremble. Closing his eyes he let out the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. //Blair said he wouldn't leave. But he doesn't know the whole picture yet. I know he cares, please let him care enough to stay when he learns the whole truth.//

When he was finished packing, he made sure all his other clothes where put away. The shoes he wouldn't be taking with him, he lined up neatly in the closet, and he made his bed. With a final glance around the room, he headed down stairs.

Dinner was sitting on the table, and Blair was coming out of his room, dressed in his lecturing jacket, and a new pair of black jeans that he had bought just before going to Tulsa. He had also pulled his hair back, as he often did when they were working on a high profile case.

"It looks great, Chief." Jim said as he sat down to eat.

"Thanks," he replied. "Tell me the truth, Jim. How bad is this?"

Jim put his fork down with a sigh. "It's not as terrible as some things. Honestly, if I could give it to someone else I would, but I won't turn my back on it."

"Jim, you are one of the most decent men I've ever known, how could you fall into a group like this?"

"I didn't fall," Jim asserted. "I wasn't bribed, black mailed, or coerced. I was offered, and I said yes."

"And now you're being called in," Blair said softly.

"Yes," Jim replied. "I have to call Simon, so he'll know that I'll be gone."

"'We'll' be gone." Blair stated.

"You just got home." he reminded him once again. "I don't want you to screw around with your career at Rainier."

"And I can leave again with no problem," Blair said. "The U will just have to deal with it."

"Thank you." Jim said, naked gratitude and regret warring in his eyes.

Jim could tell that Simon was at his office when he answered his cell phone. He was thankful for that, if his captain had been on the road there was a good chance that the captain would have broken land speed records to get to the loft.

"Simon, it's Jim, I have a family emergency. Blair and I are going to have to leave town for a week, maybe more."

"What? Jim are you in some kind of trouble?" Simon asked with concern.

"I'm not in any trouble, but this can't be handled by anyone else." Jim explained, hoping that his friend would take his words at face value.

"I had better not hear about you being involved with something on the news," Simon warned. "Will you at least tell me where I can reach you?"

"Sorry Simon," Jim said. "I'll call when we get there. Think of it this way, I'll be using up all that vacation time that you keep telling me to take."

"Jim! You'd better call," Simon warned.

Jim was touched by the concern he heard in his superior's voice. "I will. Good bye Simon."

"Good bye, Jim." Simon said reluctantly, and the call was ended.

"Did he buy it?" Blair asked. He stood near Jim's elbow.

"Yes. Considering the amount of work he had piled up, I doubt he'll have time to worry." Jim replied.

Jim tilted his head, as he heard the sound of the limo return. "Time to go, Chief." He said hefting his suit case. "You're sure you want to get sucked into this?"

"No, but I'm not letting you handle what ever this is on your own," Blair said in a determined voice. "You need me."

Jim's eyes softened. "Yes, I do." //More than you know.//

Outside the loft, Blair paused at the size of the limousine. "Does this thing have its own zip code?" he whispered to Jim. The older man turned to him and grinned, it was obvious that he had needed the humor at that moment.

After the goon, named David, put their bags in the trunk, Jim let Blair inside first. When he climbed in he was his guide checking out every detail of the interior with amazement as well as a bit of disgust.

"Your first time in a limo?" Adam asked coldly.

Blair turned to look at him. "No, I just find conspicuous consumption like this a waste of resources."

"Oh, and I suppose that if you had the money to afford it you wouldn't trade in that rat trap of a Volvo."

"No I wouldn't," Blair replied.

"Yeah, right."

"I'd take my Volvo and ripped jeans over your limousines and Armani suits any day or the week."

"Listen you little pu-" Adam's reply was cut off by Jim's steely grip on his wrist. The detective's fingers digging into the tendons in his wrist, leaving the hand useless for several minutes.

"Back off," Jim ground out as he released him. "He is off limits for those games. If you or any of our sibling have a problem with that, they can come to me."

Blair sat in shock at Jim's sudden attack. He didn't like the fire inside Jim's eyes as he asserted this authority either. It seemed that as much as Jim was reluctant to take the reins of this situation, he was not opposed to using the power it gave him.

Blair was determined to find a way to get Jim free of what ever this Family was.

The limousine pulled into Cascade International Airport and into a private terminal. Blair was stunned yet again when not only were they let onto the tarmac, but were escorted to a private jet that was waiting for them.

"Where are we going?" Blair asked his partner as they were seated in the poshly appointed interior.

"A lovely spot in Virginia, the main headquarters for the Family." Jim replied. "That's where you'll meet all the regional Vice Presidents."

"How many regions are there?" Blair asked.

They were seated in a four chair arrangement, two facing forward two face back. Adam took the seat opposite them as Jim and Blair took the two forward facing seats.

"There are seven regional VP's," Adam informed him. "One for each continent, there are also junior vice presidents under them that work under their direction."

"Only the senior VP's will be there for this meeting," Jim supplied. "There won't be a need for the rest until Father retires."

Blair couldn't help but stare at the two of them. The thought that an organization that large, was staggering, that Jim was a part of it and had hidden it from everyone at the P.D. was doubly so. He had a feeling that he would have to get used to these shocks or run the risk of catching flies in his mouth from his jaw hanging all the time.

The pilot announced that they had been given clearance to take off, and the conversation was suspended until they reached cruising altitude.

Blair saw Jim grimace as the plane took off. "Dial it down," he whispered. "You're just stressed, relax into the seat. Don't try to hear outside the plane, just concentrate on what you hear inside."

Jim snaked his hand over and gave Blair a light squeeze on his knee in thanks. He hadn't even thought about what the noise from take-off would do to his senses.

Blair refused to feel self conscious about the gesture. Jim had always shown his feelings though touch, no matter who happened to be in the room. Blair was not going to make him stop, even with a 'Family' member staring at them.

Adam was watching the exchange, but either saw nothing strange in it or knew better than to comment.

Once at cruising altitude, Jim cut to the chase. "What have you done to find Father's attacker, Adam?"

The dark haired man sighed. "So far, we have found evidence that the brakes on his limousine were tampered with, as was the accelerator. The crash occurred when the driver attempted to make a sharp turn on one of the farm roads.

"When he tried to slow down the brakes failed and the accelerator got stuck. The limo rolled when it hit a ditch going at 60 MPH. The only thing that kept Father from being killed was his seat belt.

Jim pursed his lips. "Did you question the mechanic at the house? Where there any new additions to the staff recently?"

"Three new ranch hands in the past year. Plus a member of the cleaning staff is on maternity leave so we brought in a woman from the New York staff to fill in."

Jim smiled slightly, "I'll have to send Nora a shower gift."

Adam smiled back, "She'd like that, took Father to convince her that she could leave and the place wouldn't fall apart."

"Okay, I want to talk to each of the staff members after we visit Father in the hospital." Jim said.

"I'll make the arrangements, James." Adam said. "You plan to conduct the investigation yourself?"

"I'm a detective, that is what I do best." Jim nodded.

Blair felt like he had taken a turn into the twilight zone as the private jet landed at Dulles International. The plane taxied to a private terminal and when the door opened they were met by an escort of four, two men and two women, all in dark suits.

"Elder, welcome back," The tallest of the women said, addressing Jim.

"Thank you Evans," Jim said easily. He motioned for them to proceed. "You're looking well."

"Evans this is my partner, Blair Sandburg. He is to have the same access to the grounds and same level of protection that I have while we are here." Jim said.

"Understood, Sir. I'll inform the staff." She nodded crisply.

Jim looked over at Blair, who was doing his best not to stare. An apologetic smile graced the detective's face. He placed his hand at the small of Blair's back to encourage him to keep pace with the rest of the group.

The limo they were escorted to seemed to be even larger than the one in Cascade. The long drive to their first destination was filled with a tense silence that was only broken when they reached the small private hospital.

Jim stepped out when the door was opened. Blair stayed at his side as closely as he could while they went inside.

A grey haired man in a lab coat met them at the door. "Elder, I wish you were visiting us under better circumstances." he said.

"How is Father doing, Doctor?" Jim asked seriously, as he shook the doctor's hand.

"He is resting quietly at the moment. The crash caused a several internal injuries, which were repaired. But he also suffered some spinal injuries which we are monitoring closely." He reported gravely. "Elder I won't lie to you. If the swelling doesn't reduce, he could lose the use of his legs."

"I understand, doctor. If there is anything you require for his care do not hesitate to ask." Jim said. "Now I would like to visit him."

Jim stood outside the ICU room, where the man that had shaped this part of his life lay for only a moment before stepping inside. He had been in these types of rooms before. The last time had been when Blair had been dosed with Golden. He hated the way his senses reacted to these places. All the harsh chemical smells of antiseptic and medicine and the beeping of the machines that monitored life functions only served to distract his senses when he tried to use them.

He came to stand next to the bed, which had been set to keep the older man from injuring his spine further. Father was in his early sixties, but his dark hair had only stared turning gray a few years ago. His handsome northern European features now smooth with sleep, seemed to make him even younger looking.

"I'm here Father," Jim said softly, lifting the limp right hand in his.

Father's eyes opened slowly, there was no sign of pain in their bright blue depths, but there was a weariness in them. He smiled as he recognized the man gazing down at him. "James, I never doubted that you would come."

"Save your strength, you need it to get well."

"I'm not leaving just yet, James. I'm too stubborn for that." Father said, his eyes glancing behind Jim to where Blair was standing, only a few feet away.

"Father, I brought Blair with me," Jim said, He turned and motioned Blair to approach. "Blair this is Father, the head of the Family. Father, my partner, Blair Sandburg."

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Sandburg. I've heard many good things about you."

Blair was silent for a moment, trying to find an appropriate reply. "I wish I could say the same, sir. I'm still playing catch-up with all this."

Father looked sympathetic. "I know James has kept this part of himself a secret from you. He tends to keep things to himself, even when he could benefit from being honest."

The last part was directed straight at Jim who swallowed, but said nothing in response.

In a flash of insight Blair realized that Father was referring to something other than the Family. He wanted to asked Jim right then what the older man meant, but he stopped himself. He wanted to hear what else Father had to say.

"I'm only doing this until you are well enough to resume command," Jim said, redirecting the conversation. "I trust you'll be a good patient and do as the doctors tell you."

Father glared at him, Jim smiled coolly back. "Don't you have work to do, son?"

"Yes, and the first thing I have to do, is start my investigation into the wreck." Jim replied. "I'm also going to increase your security. Two guards are not enough, in my opinion."

A grimace of pain flashed over Father's face. "You do what you do best, James," he said. "Just don't forget to protect yourself as well. If whoever did this to me is looking for promotion, the next step would be to go after you."

"Rest now, Father, I'll be back in a few minutes." Jim turned. "Let's go, Chief."

"Let him stay," Father asked weakly. "I want to talk to him for a moment."

Jim looked at him warily, "Okay, but only a few minutes."

When Jim left, Blair turned back to see an expression of hard determination in Father's face. "I can tell that this upsets and confuses you, Blair."

"Yes it does, I don't see why Jim has to do... whatever it is you think you need him for. Surely someone else could do it, someone more willing."

"It is because of his reluctance to take his position that makes him ideal." Father said. "We deal in things that must be considered carefully. Each decision could have far reaching consequences. I trust James above all others to think, not only with his head, but with his heart."

"But what do you do? What does this Family need this cloak and dagger stuff?" Blair asked in a low voice.

"It's quite simple Mr. Sandburg. We control the world's future."

Jim watched Blair with some concern while they road to the Family's head quarters. The grad student was far too quiet, to reflective. He could chalk it up to one too many shocks, but he had the sneaking suspicion that Father had said something to upset him.

When they reached the entrance to the ranch, he smiled as Blair's face lit with interest. "So what do you think?" He asked him.

Blair turned wide eyes, "Are those what I think they are?" He gazed out at the green fields, where dozens of horses frolicked.

"Yep, pure bred Arabians." Jim replied proudly. "They're some of the finest breeding stock in the country. The ranch also has quite a few thorough breeds for racing."

"Is this where you learned to ride like you did on Little Stogie?" Blair asked.

Jim smiled, "I learned to ride in Cascade, but my time here honed it into a useful skill."

They drove past a fenced in field where one of the Arabians was being taken through a series of fancy trots and walks. "We have a possible Olympic contender for Dressage." Adam said with a smile.

"I'm looking forward to it," Jim replied. "I'll have to see if I can arrange for a taping of the competition. I'll probably be working double shifts during it."

Adam frowned, "That assumes Father can resume the day to day aspects of the Family. You know that might not be possible."

Jim nodded. "I'm more than aware of Father's condition at the moment. As much as I hate to admit it, this could compromise how we are viewed if the leader of the Family is confined to a wheel chair."

Blair looked at Jim sharply. "That's a hell of a thing to say Jim. Being disabled doesn't mean you can't effectively run a business."

"When intimidation is a key element to the effective running of an organization it does." Adam stated coldly. "And while Father doesn't handle many projects personally anymore, the very idea that he is weakened would make him an even bigger target."

"Chief, I'll explain all of this after we get settled in, okay?" Jim said. "For now though, I need some sleep. I feel a major case of jet lag coming on, and that nap in the plane did nothing for it."

They reached the large four story mansion, that was built in the style of a classic farm house.

The front porch was a classic wrap-around design that extended along what had to be decades old additional wings on the right and left of the building. There was not even a twitch of emotion out of Jim as they enter the structure. That changed when a elegantly dressed man of senior but indeterminate age entered the foyer to greet them.

With no fanfare he knelt before Jim and kissed the ring on his finger. "I pledge my loyalty to you, Elder," he said.

"Regis," Jim admonished. "You of all people don't need to do that. You have been with Father since the beginning."

"All the more reason to do it, my boy. It assures the others that there will be a smooth transition when you take your place permanently."

"That will be a long time coming," Jim said.

Regis looked at him skeptically. "I think we'll have to see what kind of recovery Father makes before you start predicting the future."

"It seems like everyone is expecting him to retire when he get out of the hospital," Jim groused.

Regis saw the pain in Jim's still face. "Come on and give an old man a hug. I haven't seen you since... well its been too long!"

Jim chuckled and pulled Regis into a hug. Blair felt a twinge of jealousy at the intimacy between them though it was obviously a paternal one.

"Regis this is Blair," Jim said, when they finally pulled apart.

"Blair, it's a pleasure to meet you. You can call me Regis," he said, shaking Blair's hand. "James, you bags are in your room. I gave Blair the room a next door. I figured you would want to be together."

"Thank you," Jim replied rubbing his tired eyes. "It's late, if I'm going to get this investigation rolling I'll need some sleep."

"I understand, would you like someone to wake you in the morning?" the older man asked.

"No, that won't be necessary. In fact, I want the staff aware that they mustn't approach my room until it's know that I am awake. We've had a few problems in Cascade over the past three years, and my reactions may be off scale until I'm used to being here again."

Regis gazed at him with concern. "Like after Peru? I can understand that. Get some sleep all of you. I have a feeling its going to be a long day tomorrow."

Jim led the way to the rooms that they would be staying in, up the main flight of stairs and down the west wing. There were at least six doors they passed before Jim came to a stop in front of one that looked just like all the others. Blair stepped in through the doorway after Jim opened it. He didn't register it's contents until he was nearly to the middle.

The first thing that he saw a queen size bed with expensive, but tastefully designed bed linens. Their bags had been placed next to it for them. All the furniture was of a matching oak design, with brass accents. But like so many things that were Jim's at home, the furniture was understated in design, so that it did not seem either gawdy or elitist.

On one side of the room was a door that, when Blair opened it, led to an enormous bathroom with a connecting walk in closet. Unable to resist exploration, Blair found the one thing he could never find at the loft. Hidden among a half a dozen old suits and other formal wear which had obviously lot been touched in serveral years, was Jim's formal dress greens from his time in the Rangers. The formal uniform was neatly stored in one corner, covered in plastic. Along with his beret, sword, and dress shoes.

Blair turned to see Jim leaning against the door frame. "You find something interesting?" he asked.

"I thought that you had maybe thrown your dress uniform away." Blair said, running his hand down the plastic cover. "I've never actually seen one up close. Naomi didn't like establishment types."

Jim jerked his head indicating Blair should come out. "There is a lot I need to explain about who the Family is and why I thought, and still think, it is important." Blair followed and Jim motioned him to sit in a small nook where two large overstuffed chairs were nestled with a coffee table. Blair sank into the comfortable seat and waited for his partner to speak.

"You know already what my life at home was like. My mom gone, and dad... He tried to make men out of me and Stephen by forced competition for every scrap of praise he felt was reasonable to hand out." Jim sighed. "What you don't know is that when Stephen and dad went to Europe on that business trip, I left home to join a military school for my last year of high school, and a few years of college courses."

Blair shook his head, "You never said anything about that."

"I know, but who wants to admit to being exiled from your family for something you didn't even do?" Jim sighed. "When I graduated I was selected for Cadet Officers Training, with a chance for early advancement in the Army. It was either that or go back home, and I pretty much figured that wasn't an option, since I got three cards and a birthday present during my time away from my family. Of course all my expenses were covered, but that was a simple arrangement with Dad's accountant to make sure a check was sent once a month."

Blair shifted uncomfortably in his seat, one of the things he had envied about his partner when they first got together was the fact that he had grown up in a 'stable' home. A home that was always there, he had mistakenly thought that it had been a good life. It wasn't until he found out Jim had a brother that he had learned how wrong he was.

It seemed that all of Jim's life he had moved from one betrayal to the next, he wondered if the Family had given Jim the stability that he had needed at some point.

"When did you meet these people?" Blair asked.

"During my time in officers' training." Jim leaned forward clasping his hands together. "Father had just retired from the military, he was looking for people that were willing to dedicate themselves to a cause."

"You were ripe for the picking I bet," Blair said bitterly. This was a serious case of grabbing hold of someone at a moment of weakness.

"Blair, I knew what I was getting into." Jim rocked back. "I just didn't know how much my life would change back then."

"Why aren't you more pissed off that these guys have basically put your life on hold?" Blair demanded, jumping up from the chair. "I mean, you haven't been a part of this since I've known you. How can they possibly think you can just take over after being out of the loop for so long?" Blair paced the floor gesturing widely.

"Because I haven't been out of the loop," Jim replied calmly. "I have gotten monthly updates on Family business through my computer ever since I got it. And before that, I got updates by curier to a private post office box."

"That's why you never let me use it?" Blair was incredulous. "I thought you were just being territorial or something."

Jim shot him an annoyed look. He hated it when Blair assumed everything in his life was an extention of the Sentinel. Of course that focus had allowed him to keep this part of his life hidden from Blair for almost three years.

"Listen, Chief. It's late, I'm tired, you've got to be wiped out," Jim said standing. "Why don't you go get some sleep. We'll talk more in the morning."

Blair looked about to protest, but a yawn interrupted him. He rolled his eyes, "I'm going, geez, you're such a mother hen sometimes man."

Jim watched his back with a loving smile that he couldn't help. Even in this moment of crisis he couldn't help loving his guide. The fact that Blair had been relatively understanding so far made him love him all the more.

"Oh my god!" Blair's voice echoed in the next room. "It's bigger than the whole Loft!"

Jim chuckled, "Just think of it as an experiment, how fast can the patented Sandburg Effect totally wreck that much space." He called out, stripping down to his boxers.

Blair peeked back inside. "I resent any implication that a mess follows my wake. I'm perfectly capable of picking up after myself."

"Tell that to someone that hasn't lived with you for three years, Sandburg." Jim replied.

Blair went to his bed, stripped to his boxers, and pulled down the comforter. He groaned low and stomped back through the doorway to Jim's room. "Jim!" he began. "I can't sleep on that bed, I'll never be able to go on another expedition for the rest of my life."

"Why not?" Jim said from under the covers.

"That is a down comforter on that bed, the sheets are satin, and the mattress is so soft it's sinful. Not to mention the bed must have its own zip code."

Jim sat up, "Chief the Family's net worth is somewhere in the billion dollar range, they aren't going to be buying stuff off the clearance racks in Walmart. If it makes you that outraged, you could always sleep on the floor."

Blair blinked, several times. He couldn't seem to get past a word that started with a 'b'. "If they have so much money, how come you've only got about thirty thousand dollars worth of credit in your name?"

"Because I pay for most things with cash," Jim replied. "Now go to bed, before I pull you in here with me and force you to sleep."

Blair grinned wickedly, "You wouldn't dare."

Quick as a cat Jim reached up and pulled Blair down into the queen size bed. Blair yelped in protest as he went down. They wrestled for several minutes until Jim managed to pin Blair to the mattress with his own body weight. "Now, are you going to sleep, or do I have to tie you down," he said, half serious.

"Okay, okay," Blair chuckled. "I'll sleep."

"Good," Jim rolled off, grateful for Blair's quick capitulation. He concentrated on keeping a certain part of his anatomy from enjoying the wrestling match as he settled down to sleep.

"Hey, Jim?" Blair called softly, as he reached over to turn out the light.

"What?"

"Thanks for letting me come with you," Blair whispered. "I'd be worried sick by now if I was back in Cascade."

"You're welcome," Jim smiled in reply, then drifted off to sleep.

The next morning Jim woke first. He smiled at the sight of his guide curled up in the bed next to him. The scent of the younger man filled his senses. The only thing missing was having Blair in his arms. It wasn't quite the way he wanted it, but it was better than nothing. The whispering desire to pull Blair into his arms taunted him as he got out of bed and unpacked his and Blair's clothing, placing them in his closet to air.

He pulled down one of the suits he had left here during his last visit and set it aside for after his shower. Today would be hectic, not only because of the investigation he would be conducting, but due to the procession of his brothers and sisters coming to pledge themselves to him.

This trip would almost be enjoyable if not for that detail. He hated the mafia like ritual, but it was a symbol of loyalty, one that very few people today would not recognize.

He stepped into the large glass doors of the shower, letting the how spray work some of the tension out of his body, even sleeping with Blair hadn't dispelled it all. He turned up his sense of touch to enjoy the hot water as it ran down his body.

Instead of using the expensive soap that had been supplied for him, he used the organic brand that Blair had found. He hadn't used any commercial soaps since he fell in the vat on the oil rig. That time it was either use the cleanser or suffer petroleum poisoning. As it was his skin had been red and irritated for several days afterward.

Jim's thoughts wandered to the younger man, as he thought of the one last secret he was keeping from him, the private longings that he was afraid would send his terribly straight partner running for the hills. He had come to this conclusion after two years of being able to tell the difference between male and female arousal when it clung to another person. Blair had never once come home from one of his countless dates smelling like a another man.

He also thought back to Father's expression when he had seen Blair up close for the first time. It was obvious from the recognition in his eyes that Father had been given a full briefing when Blair arrived in Jim's life. There had been no look of disapproval in his eyes, only concern that Jim was holding back from telling Blair how he felt about him. Father knew the last time they had seen each other that Blair had stolen his heart. His tactic approval of Jim's feelings toward Blair had heartened him greatly.

That had been over two years ago, when they had taken measures to ensure that Brackett would no longer be a threat. Of course no one, not even Simon, knew what had happened to the ex-CIA agent. Short of killing him, it was the best way to handle him.

Jim opened his hearing up to monitor movement in the bed room. He could hear the sounds of Blair beginning to wake up.

Blair woke slowly, trying to remember where he was. He knew he wasn't at the loft, his bed wasn't this nice. Nor was he still in Tulsa, he remembered getting home.

He sat up with a gasp as his brain engaged, bringing back the memory of the previous day's journey. Looking around the elegant bedroom frantically he tried to get his bearings. Jim wasn't in the bed, and their bags were no longer on the floor.

Rubbing his eyes he got up and headed to the bathroom for his morning needs. He stopped short when he heard the shower going, but shrugged and continued in.

One nice thing about a bathroom the size of the kitchen and his bedroom in the loft combined was that the lavatory and the bathing area were separate.

"Did you sleep well?" Jim called from the shower.

Blair almost jumped out of his skin at his greeting. "Give a guy a heart attack already, Jim."

The shower shut off, leaving the soft sound of water dripping in its wake. "Sorry, Chief." Jim chuckled. He came out with a large fluffy bath sheet wrapped around his waist. "Didn't think you would be so jumpy."

Jim gazed at his partner longingly for a brief moment as Blair headed to take his own shower. There would be time later to deal with his feelings. At the moment, he needed to focus his attention on Family business. And, if past experience was any way to gage, things could get ugly.

Blair came out of the bathroom, fifteen minutes later toweling his hair dry . He was already dressed and clean shaven. He saw Jim sitting in one of the overstuffed chairs watching him with a concerned expression.

"What's up Jim?" he asked. "My clothes too casual?"

"No, no." Jim said rather uneasily. "I just want you to prepare yourself before we go out there. The Family, my brothers and sisters, take their jobs and positions very seriously. That also includes their loyalty to me."

"So, what has that got to do with me?"

"You are an important part of the Elder's life. What you do will reflect back on me. I'm not saying you would do anything to embarrass me. I know you better than that," Jim said seeing Blair's hurt look. "But just keep your eyes and ears open."

"There's something else," Blair said as Jim stood and headed for the door. "What is it?"

Jim opened the door holding it to let Blair out. "There is something else that I never told you about me. That a few of them might use to shock you. So I have to beat them to the punch. I didn't want to tell you, because I wasn't sure how you would react."

"Tell me what?" Blair demanded, lowering his voice as a maid walked past. "Come on, man, you know you can tell me anything."

Jim swallowed, closed his eyes and said, "I'm gay."

Blair stared at his partner for several unblinking moments. His jaw stuck in mid-reply as his brain tried to assimilate what Jim had just said.

"That's... um, that's a big surprise," he finally managed to stammer out.

"Are you okay?" Jim asked hesitantly.

Blair nodded slowly, "I'm fine, really. I'm going to need some time to think about this, but otherwise I don't have a problem."

"Would you rather have breakfast in your room?" Jim offered, not wanting to make him uncomfortable.

"You think I'm gonna let you go into the lion's den by yourself?" Blair scolded. "What kind of partner would that make me?"

"A human one." Jim said softly.

"I'm with you on this Jim." Blair asserted. "Short of you telling me that you have secret fantasies about farm animals, I'm not going to distance myself."

"There goes my appetite." Jim muttered as they headed for the stairs.

Jim showed Blair to one of the many rooms downstairs, inside was a relatively casual room with a buffet. The large variety of breakfast selections spoke of many varying tastes.

Jim grabbed one of the plates and dished himself out eggs, waffles, and bacon. Blair added several pieces of sliced fruit to it as he picked up his own food. He followed a step behind Jim until they reached the head of the table. Blair took the seat next to him, and for the first time met the faces of the Family.

There were only five people seated at the table besides Jim and himself, and only two at the moment that Blair hadn't met, the others were Regis and Adam. The latter was indifferent to him, the former greeted him with a warm smile.

"Good morning, Elder. Good morning Blair." Regis said. "I hope you both slept well."

"Quite well, Regis." Jim replied. "Thank you, for keeping my room in order while I've been away."

Blair smiled at Regis too. "You think you could find a smaller bed for my room? I thought I was going to get lost just looking at it."

Regis laughed heartily, "You know, I thought the same thing the first time I slept in one that nice. I was Army, born and bred, but as you get older, you learn to appreciate certain comforts."

"I'm sure a man of Mr. Sandburg's background would do well to learn a little refinement," said an elegantly dressed woman sitting beside Regis. "After all, he is just a grad student."

"Melissa," Adam smiled coldly. "You have very little room to talk. After all, Blair is a doctoral candidate. You barely got your Master's in political science before you decided to 'be all you could be'."

"Tell me, Adam, why is it you only seem to find your wit when the Elder is near," Melissa retorted. "People might think you had to borrow his."

"Melissa, darling." The beautiful blonde haired man sitting opposite her. "If you want to use cheap shots, go ahead. I'd rather learn more about Mr. Sandburg. He could be an asset to this group."

"You need only read his file to know that he isn't your type, Kennith," she sneered back. "So don't waste your time."

Jim slammed his fist down hard on the oak table, causing the dishes to rattle, effectively ending the verbal cat fight. "I am trying to eat here." he said with cold disdain. "You wish to continue your debate? Go outside. If you have something important to say fine, otherwise, shut it!"

"Blair this is Melissa Farnsworth, and Kennith Birdsole." Jim introduced after a moment. "I'd let you shake their hands, but you might pull back a bloody stump, and I'd rather not have to kill anyone this early in the morning."

"The fighting started already has it?" called a man from the doorway. Blair looked to behold a sharply featured man wearing elegant clothing. Everything about his manner spoke of a man that came for a great deal of money and status. A man used to being the center of attention.

"Nothing for you to worry about Raddy," Melissa's smile was cold.

"Oh? I'm sure it can't be that boring," he said with a sneer. "After all we have a veritable lover's triangle here. And with Father in the hospital there's nothing to keep that sort of behavior in check." Kennith paled, his eyes darted from Blair to Jim.

"Radcliff," Jim said in a low deadly tone. "You will refrain from bring up what you like to call 'my sordid past' in an effort to embarrass me, my partner, or any of our siblings. As you so helpfully pointed out. Father is in the hospital. He isn't here to cover your ass as a favor to his army buddy."

"I've never needed Father to cover for me," he asserted with arrogance. "I've done the Family's work and always shown Father the respect he deserves."

"Only when you had to," Adam retorted. "Only when Father had to remind you to."

Jim stood to his full height which beat the arrogant Radcliff by several inches. They locked eyes for what seemed like forever. Jim's cold and confident, an aura of control and authority radiated out from him. Radcliff's eyes were cold and arrogant, but in the end he couldn't maintain the Sentinel's stare. When Rad lowered his eyes Jim asked, "Are you finished?" He nodded slowly. "Good. While I'm here I'll be reviewing everyone's performance over the past year. You had better hope I don't find anything, because I have no qualms about taking you out of the game." Radcliff stiffened then moved to get his own breakfast, then stalked out, presumably to eat in private.

Jim's outburst had quieted his other siblings and startled Blair. Yet, the silent control he had just employed had put Radcliff in his place. There was no way to explain to his partner that his cold distant attitude had not been cultivated here. That it had begun at home with his father and honed to a fine art in the Army. How could he explain that it had taken Sandburg himself to bring out the sometimes smiling, even playful Jim Ellison from out from under his armor?

"Thank you, James," Regis said. "It is so difficult to get blood out of the carpets."

Blair looked from Regis to Jim and back, not sure if any of them were joking. Until he saw a glint of humor hidden in Jim's eyes, subtle, but there. Enough to assure him that his Jim was inside that stone facade.

They were soon done eating, and Jim stood from his seat. The others at the table rose as well. Kennith strode forward, then kneeled before him, and kissed his ring. "I pledge my loyalty to you, Elder."

Melissa followed suit only a beat later. Blair watching this from the side of the room couldn't help the urge to roll his eyes when no one was watching him. It just seemed so... cliched.

Jim was speaking again. "You both have been handling your posts well, Africa and Central America are in good shape from all the reports I've received." The two VP's were obviously pleased by the praise. "Now, we'll be talking to the staff. Adam, Regis, make sure that Blair and I are not disturbed for at least an hour."

An hour later Blair and Jim had finished with most of the interviews. It wasn't hard to see that most of them were horrified by the accident. Blair was heartened by the loyalty that they all showed. It was not based on fear, it was all based on respect of a well liked employer.

"So, what do you think?" Blair asked as the walked down the length of one of the corrals.

Jim's mouth was twisted slightly in thought, "The second mechanic is in on it. I doubt he was the master mind, but he definitely faltered a few times."

"So who do you think is responsible?" Blair asked.

"I'll know when the rest of the VP's get here," Jim replied. "They may be good at concealing their feelings for each other, but I doubt they've ever dealt with a Sentinel before."

"Just don't focus too hard," Blair warned. "I don't like the idea of these people knowing about you abilities."

"Father knows," Jim said quietly.

"He what?!" Blair's voice echoed across the field. Jim winced reflexively.

"He was wondering who you were and why I needed you," Jim explained. "I wasn't going to lie to him, and besides his background check on you revealed a lot of your research. It was only a matter of time before he pieced it together."

"Geezus, Jim!" Blair growled, obviously hurt. "You don't let me tell Naomi about this, but you tell him?!"

"Father understands the need for secrets," Jim said softly, understanding Blair's anger. "Lovely as your mother is, I doubt she could understand the danger of spreading what I can do around."

Blair glared at him, pissed at Jim talking about his mother in a negative light.

"Listen to me, Sandburg, before you go off half cocked," Jim warned. "She didn't understand that calling cops 'pigs' in my home was an insult to me until after she'd said it. How can you be so sure that she wouldn't blurt out things about what I can do to anyone asking about what her son is studying?"

"That is so much bull shit," Blair replied turning away.

"Is it?" Jim asked softly. "She couldn't bring herself to think that Charlie Spring would bring in the media to exploit that kidnaping for his own personal gain. How can she understand that people would hunt down and kill a man who can hear a conversation a half mile away?"

Blair scrubbed his face with his hands. "Dammit, I don't want to think of her like that. Why do you have to be right when it comes to this kind of shit?"

"Because, unfortunately, I've had a lot of experience with it," Jim sighed. "Come on, it's time I showed you what the Family does."

Back inside the mansion Jim led Blair to a side corridor, and a set of oak doors. Inside, instead of another room, Blair found himself in a steel elevator. Jim smiled at Blair's look of curiosity as he inserted a card key into the control panel. "Password," a voice said for the ceiling speaker.

"Elder," Jim replied. "Authorization code Delta Nine Five."

"Password accepted," the voice replied. "Unknown occupant please state name for voice print identification."

"Blair Sandburg," Blair managed. "Jim is this for real?"

"As real as is gets, Chief." Jim shrugged.

"Voice print completed. Thank you. Destination, Elder?"

"Second sub-basement, Vox. I'm taking my partner on a tour." Jim replied.

"The second sub-basement is a clean zone, please remember to wear the protective gear provided." Vox said sternly. "This is for your protection as well as those within the area."

Jim stepped out of the elevator when the doors opened. "You've done a fine job, Vox. Please inform me when the remaining vice presidents arrive on site."

"Thank you Elder. I am happy to be of service."

Blair stared at Jim. "Was that what it sounded like?"

"Yep, Vox is short for 'Voice recognition, command, and operation experiment'. He's the latest in Artificial Intelligence."

"That's impossible, Jim." Blair said. "No one is even close to that level of sophistication."

Blair followed Jim's instructions and donned the protective coat and goggles. "Vox is under strict control and is being monitored constantly. If he does anything outside his programming he loses his link to the outside." Jim replied as the began to walk down a long hallway filled with large glass windows.

As they walked Blair recognized that the rooms were well equipt for all sorts of scientific experiments. Scanners and monitors of several different types lined the walls. Inside a few were men and women working, all in the same protective gear.

"What is all this stuff?" Blair asked in confusion.

"This is what the Family does." Jim said. "Part of it anyway."

"You fund scientific experiments? Then why all the cloak and dagger stuff?"

"Do you remember the mess that got Professor Buckner killed?" Jim asked.

Blair nodded and shuddered. One of the employees of the lab funding research for Rainier had been using Buckner to help smuggle exotic insects into the country for experimentation. They were trying to create a new breed of wheat larva that would threaten the country's crops.

Blair and a young genius student named Alec Summer had nearly been killed by funnel web spiders when they had learned too much.

Jim lead Blair to one window, there he saw a scientist examining several specimens just like the larva they had found back at Rainier. "Those same insects and the research that made them, will one day help create a safe hormone based pesticide for when nature creates a similar threat."

Jim guides him past several empty areas until they came to a room with one man inside. Blair gasped in horror as he recognized a yellowish powdered substance.

"That's Golden!"

"No it's not." Jim replied calmly. "It's a drug that could one day slow the progress of Lou Gehrig's disease."

"The biochemist that created the drug known as Golden was this man's lab assistant. He decided that making a quick buck was easier that waiting the years it would take for the drug to be ready for testing."

Jim took Blair back the way they came, and into the elevator. "Vox, my office please." Jim said.

"Yes, Elder." Vox replied.

A few minute later they were standing in a simply appointed but state of the art office. Blair sat down heavily in one of the chairs. Jim sat in the seat next to him, forgoing his seat behind the desk.

"What is going on here, Jim?" Blair pleaded. "I don't understand what the Family does. Father said you controlled the world's destiny. What the hell does that mean? What does it have to do with that lab?"

"We do control the world's destiny," Jim replied seriously. "We monitor the scientific community for potentially dangerous experiments. If it looks like it could have potential value, then we pack them up and bring them to one of our facilities. If it is too dangerous to be allowed to continue, we put a stop to it."

"You put a stop to it." Blair said slowly, his eyes locked on Jim's. "That's censorship! How can you be a party to something like that?"

Jim had known Blair would react like this, but it didn't stop the well of anger from springing up from his chest. "You really want to know? I'll tell you," Jim said with an icy calm. "When I first joined the Army, a not so benevolent despot thought he could control his country's population by introducing a virus. He set his best people to work on mutating a monkey virus that affected the immune system until it affected humans. He introduced it into the general population without understanding how far reaching its affects would be."

"What virus?" Blair said, paling at the thought.

"You've heard of it before, Blair. It's knows as AIDS now-a-days." Jim replied.

"Oh my god." Blair whispered.

"If the Family had been in place when this guy was in the planning stages, maybe we could have stopped it," Jim continued. "The statistics are all I need to glance at to remind myself of why I joined."

"But what about the right to explore, to discover." Blair asserted himself, recovering from the shock. "Who gave these people the right to dictate what is too dangerous? What if someone had told Columbus he couldn't go west to find Asia? Or any of the great scientists of history that what they were trying was too dangerous?" Blair was getting on a roll.

Jim raised his hand in a halting motion. "You are talking about people who didn't have the technology we have now, Chief," Jim replied calmly. "The world is too connected to risk the kind of mistakes that have occurred throughout history."

"If it wasn't for the freedom to experiment freely, we wouldn't be as connected as we are now." Blair asserted."I suppose all the technology that the Family takes is stored away in some secret vault."

"Some of it, yes." Jim replied. "But the safe research, the useful things that come out of it, are introduced to the public, and the sales of that technology finances the Family."

"So what happens to the scientists that don't want to work for you? Do you rough them up?" Blair asked harshly.

"Give me some credit, Darwin." Jim said. "When we approach a scientist, we give them a choice. They can either work under our protection or they can work in a vacuum. And trust me, there are plenty of other groups that would love to snatch up little projects like those larva. And they don't come with nice health care benefits or pension plans."

Blair paced the length of the office. "Okay, say I believe that you are working for the 'greater good' for a minute. Tell me, why do you need the goon squad?"

Jim sat on the edge of his desk, arms crossed. "Let me ask you this? If you were, say, the leader of a drug cartel, and you learned that a researcher had just discovered a way to increase the yield of a cocaine from a coco plant. Wouldn't you do everything you could, go through anyone, to get that researcher under your roof?

"We do what we have to, to protect our own people." Jim continued. "It's not always black or white, it's not always pretty. But it works, and for the most part we are avoided."

"I don't like it," Blair said flatly.

"I know you don't," Jim sighed. "Which is why I waited so long to tell you about this part of my life." He stood and placed his hands on Blair's shoulders. "I'm not going to ask you to change how you feel, but I do ask that you respect my choices and, at least out there in front of the rest of the Family, don't lecture me on civil rights."

Blair looked into his friend's eyes and saw just how worried Jim was. This could be the one thing that destroyed their partnership, if Blair couldn't accept it. Yet Jim had told him everything, pulling no punches in his explanation.

"I promise, I won't cause trouble, and I'll do my best to accept this. But I reserve the right to debate this with you in the future," Blair said with a winning smile. "And I will debate it, you know."

Jim visibly relaxed, smiled and ruffled Blair's hair. "Good, I look forward to having a discussion with you that you have no chance of winning."

"Hey!" Blair protested.

The panel on the desk bleeped. "Yes Vox?" Jim asked.

"The last of the vice presidents have arrived, do you wish them assembled anywhere?"

"No thank you," Jim replies. "I'd rather take them a few at a time at the moment."

"Very well, Elder." Vox responded and signed off.

"Come on, Chief." Jim sighed. "Time to meet the troops."

For the next few hours Blair watched as Jim met with and accepted the pledges of the Family members. Each of them seemed to as arrogant and intelligent as the next, of seven VPs only two showed any true overt hostility. One was Radcliff Winchester, whom Blair had met that morning, the other was Kristine O'Connel, who seemed to be cut from the same cloth.

While Melissa seemed to be nice enough, in a distant sort of way. Radcliff was what Blair had always called classic upperclass American. It always seemed that there was a guy that looked and acted like a throwback to british aristocracy.

It didn't take a genious to see that he was less than thrilled by having to kneel before Jim and kiss his ring. Since he had failed to do so at breakfast, he was doing so now.

The others of the Family were Danial Norton, and George Conatser. If Blair ever wanted to do a study on the effects of several strong personality types all working together, he couldn't have hoped for a better mix.

After each pledge, Jim went into 'cop mode' asking well directed questions to each of them. Blair watched with an experienced eye as the interviews were conducted.

Jim led Blair to the dining room, to get some privacy after the last one. "You okay there, Jim?"

"Yeah," Jim said tiredly. "I have a bit of a headache from trying to monitor their reactions."

"You've gotta take it easy," Blair cautioned him. "You wear yourself out staying open and you could zone."

"I know but it was worth it." Jim said with a smile.

"What? You know who did it?" Blair whispered eagerly.

"Not yet, but I have a suspect or two."

"Who?" Blair asked.

Jim was about to reply when Regis entered the room with a file in his hand. His expression was one of deep concern. "Elder, we have a problem."

Jim stode down the hall, Blair hot on his heels, into the main room where several of the Family were eating lunch. "Winchester!" Jim barked, his face set in stone. "Front and center."

"Is there a problem, Elder?" Radcliff asked with a undisguised arrogance.

"You left Brazil with an operation in progress." Jim's voice was soft. "It was important, and quite dangerous. Why is it that you didn't stay to see it through?"

"It was going smoothly enough," Radcliff replied. "I saw no reason to delay my departure."

"You saw no reason?" Jim's eyes flared with anger, "I'll give you six reasons. That team you sent in, to obtain those rare hybrids, all but one of them are dead! Your arrogance in not better preparing them for what they could be facing got them killed."

Radcliff paled under the Elder's fury, it had been a while since any of them had taken the full brunt of it. "It was a simple operation, nothing should have gone wrong." Radcliff said trying to defend himself.

"You will pack your bags and get your ass on the next plane to Antarctica, where you have very little chance of hurting anyone." Jim ordered.

"What? You can't...?" he was cut off by Jim's hand at his throat. The elegant fingers held an amazing amount of strength

"You dare question my authority in this?" Jim asked. "You're lucky I don't have you shot. Nothing is more important than the lives of our people."

Radcliff looked around the room frantically for help. No one moved to assist him, he struggled in the grip trying to get a breath of air. "Keep it up," Adam said from across the room. "You're giving the Elder the excuse he needs to justify killing you."

Blair took a step forward, the last time he had seen Jim that angry had been when Freeman had been stalking them. He wanted nothing more than to interfere, but he had promised Jim that he wouldn't.

With a last tight squeeze Jim released his hold on Radcliff's neck. The sharp featured man gasped for breath, as he hunched over across a camelback chair. He came back up with a pistol in his hand aimed only inches from the Elder's chest. "Nobody move! Or you'll lose not only Father, but the Elder as well."

"Thank you, Radcliff," Jim said calmly. "I wasn't sure if it was you that arranged for Father's accident."

"Why," Melissa asked. "What did you possibly hope to gain?"

"I've had to scrape and grovel to James ever since he joined the Family," he said, his hand shaking. "Father's golden boy, Father's precious little fag."

"I had to force the issue, to show the rest of you that he was a detriment to the Family. How can any of you stand it? Don't you realize it's only a matter of time before he and his boy-toy destroy everything?"

"So you try to kill Father and force the power shift, in order to prove what a terrible influence James is?" Adam said with a harsh laugh. "Raddy, you are out of your mind."

"If you think James is such a bad influence," Kennith said from the other side of the room. "Then who do you think deserves to be the Elder? After all you must have thought this out."

"Shut up! You're no better than he is." Radcliff turned the gun on Kennith for just a moment, but that was all Jim needed. He pushed the gun arm up hard, taking it out of harm's way. A single shot from across the room ended the fight before it began. All eyes turned to see Regis, with a smoking Sig Saur in his hand.

Radcliff fell to the ground, his eyes wide with shock. Jim met his eyes as he fell, "You never understood, Rad. You don't hurt family. They're all you have in the end." With a last gasp Radcliff Winchester died.

Jim turned away from the body with a ragged breath. "Daniel I want you to get down to Brazil and see what can be salvaged of that operation. Also get our best hackers and have them work on Radcliff's files. I want to know what he's been up to besides murder."

The Antarctic VP nodded. "I'll call as soon as I arrive."

"Regis, could you take care of this mess, and make sure the arrangements are made." Jim asked. "I would like this taken care of quickly."

Regis nodded. "I will, why don't you and Blair go get some air."

Jim turned to the rest of his brothers and sisters. "You were all planning to visit Father today. Why don't you do that," Jim gave them all an appraising look. "I don't want him to hear of this from anyone but me. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Elder." several answered while others simply nodded.

Jim motioned for Adam to follow as he and Blair headed for the foyer. Once out in the fresh air, Jim took a deep breath, trying to get the scent of blood out of his sinuses. Blair placed a comforting hand on Jim's arm in an attempt to calm them both.

"James," Adam called after a few minutes. "Radcliff's death is going to cause a bit of media coverage. His family is actually pretty well known."

"I know," Jim said. "but the shooting was justified. It's not the media or even his family I'm worried about. It's how Father will react."

"What do you mean," Blair asked.

"The Winchesters are old friends of Father's, he brought Rad into the group just before he approached Adam and me. He was always loyal to Father, but he resented that I was favored."

"And that was before he found out you were gay." Adam interjected.

"Yeah," Jim agreed. "Father never saw that side of him. He was very good at hiding his bigotry." He sighed. "This is going to hit him hard."

"You can't avoid it, James," Adam reminded him. "As Elder it is up to you."

Jim gave him a hard look, Adam met it with open honesty. "I may on occasion give you a hard time about your double life back in Cascade. But I know that you are the best person for this job. Never doubt that."

"Thank you," Jim smiled sadly. "I'm going over to the stables for a while, alone. Would you mind keeping an eye on Blair?"

"Hey!" Blair protested.

"I'll keep him out of trouble, brother." Adam smiled. "It'll give us a chance to talk."

Jim turned to his partner, gently tilting the sullen face up. "I'll be right back."

Blair saw what he could only describe as longing in Jim's eyes, just before he turned and started down the marble steps. He watched Jim until he disappeared into the first set of stables.

"Come sit with me on the porch, Sandburg." Adam said. With no real reason not to Blair complied, sitting in a lounge chair facing a corral of yearlings.

"I can see a question in those eyes," Adam said. "What would you like to ask me?"

"I'd rather not," Blair said. "I don't want to offend a guy that knows six ways of killing me with his bare hands and can still make it look like an accident."

Adam burst out with soft but genuine laughter. His dark brown eyes sparkled. "I value my own life more than that, Blair. The Elder would kill me himself if I hurt you. Ask what you like, I'll answer, within reason."

Taking him at his word, Blair took a breath and asked, "I keep hearing how Jim's sexual orientation isn't an issue. I can't help but wonder, were you and Jim ever... involved?"

Adam laughed again, but softly. "No, it would be too much like insest. We've been friends since Officer's Training, he's the brother that I never had, or even knew that I wanted."

"What about Kennith? That was what Radcliff implied this morning."

"That you should ask James and Kennith about." Adam cautioned. "But I will tell you that what happened between them was a long time ago, and very much over."

"But it must have been difficult, the mentality of the Army-"

"Never had a chance of catching him," Adam interrupted. "He hides what he feels very well, Sandburg. You know his life as well as anyone. Can you honestly say that he doesn't have just cause for hiding his feelings?"

"No," Blair admitted. "but I'm his partner, he shouldn't have to hide things from me."

"Blair, think about what he has revieled to you over the past twenty-four hours. What do they all have in common?"

Blair was silent for a while. The sound of the light wind on a set of chimes a counter point to the frollicing horses nearby. "They are all things he's thinks I wouldn't be able to accept about him."

Adam nodded, "Now it's my turn, Blair, to ask you something that might offend you."

"I'm listening," Blair said warily.

"If you had a guy come up to you, and ask you out, would you say yes?"

Blair swallowed, "Honestly, I said no to the one offer I've ever had. But that was because I was already seeing someone, <cough> actually two someones' at the time. That, and he was a worse nerd than I was."

"Now for the tough question," Adam said. "How much do you care about James?"

"What the hell kind of question is that?" Blair said angrily. "He's my partner, my best friend. The truest, most honorable person I've ever met-"

"And you love him?"

"-And I love him more than my own life!"

Blair stopped, amazed at what he had just admitted to this virtual stranger.

"Maybe you should tell him." Adam smiled back at him. "Father was always alone, because he couldn't find a person he trusted enough to share this life with. I'd rather not have that same fate happen to James."

"Jim doesn't love me like that," Blair asserted. "I would have noticed something by now."

Adam's expression turned serious again. "Think about everything we just talked about, and what you know about his defenses. You may just be surprised by what you notice."

Jim returned from his walk, head clearer, but his emotions were still up higher than he liked. He found Blair still sitting on the porch, this time alone. "Where's Adam?" he asked.

"He got a phone call," Blair explained. "He decided to take it inside. Have a seat, you look like hell."

Jim sank into the chair closest to his partner, with a deep sigh. "You two have a long talk?"

"It was... enlightening." Blair said.

"Really? How so?" Jim asked with a hint of nervousness.

"When we first got here, I thought I was going to be facing the dark side of humanity. Something that I could easily pull you out of." Blair shook his head. "But then I found a group of people that, while not saints, aren't devils either. And not only do they respect you, but some of them care for you a lot."

Jim looked at him in surprise. "You must of had a hell of a talk."

Blair chuckled, "Quiet, I'm trying to work up to something."

Jim made a zipping motion across his mouth and raised his hands.

"You kept this stuff from me," Blair said. "Not just to protect me, which I'm sure was your main motive, but to protect yourself. I understood that you didn't want to lose me as your partner and friend. But you hid the most important part of this from me."

He took Jim's hand in his, and felt the minute tremble in it. "You don't have to hide your feelings, Jim, because I feel the same way."

Jim stared at Blair's hand in his, always amazed at how they were actually larger than his own. "Please, be careful, Blair. I don't think I could stand it if you didn't mean what you're saying." his voice rough with emotion.

"I know," Blair replied. "You've been hurt before, but I swear, give me a chance. I may not be experienced in this kind of relationship, but I'd happily let you guide me where ever it takes us."

"Guide, hmm?" Jim smiled softly. "Bit of a role reversal there, don't you think?"

He reached up to cup Blair's chin with his thumb and forefinger. He locked eyes with the man he loved more than anything in his life, and leaned in to brush his lips against Blair's.

As nervous as the first time on a date, Blair wasn't sure how he would react to being kissed by Jim Ellison. Whatever he thought might happen, he wasn't quite prepared for the thrilling touch those soft sensitive lips.

As the first chaste touch deepened into something more sensual, Blair could feel the excitement build until he could feel himself vibrating all the way down to his toes.

Jim couldn't believe that this was finally happening, he felt as though his soul had taken flight and landed in heaven. Everything he needed to know about Blair's feelings, and his own were answered in this one act. There was no mistaking Blair's surprise and delight. Nor could there be any argument ever made that Blair wasn't the one for him. Just the simple act of tasting his suddenly flushed skin made Jim happy.

He pulled away reluctantly to look at his partner's expression. As always Blair wore his deeper emotions inside his eyes, half lidded and dilated. Blair was the picture of aroused passion, but beyond that was a shyness, an uncertainty which made Jim love him all the more.

"Oh, I think I'm in trouble," Jim sighed happily.

"Why?" Blair asked.

"Because, I never tried to imagine what you loving me back would be like. I was too afraid to get my hopes up. Now seeing you like this, I don't think I can give it up easily."

Blair looked at him with regret. "I haven't given you much reason to think I might welcome your advances."

"I won't push for more than you can give me, Chief," Jim replied. "We'll just take this slow."

"Thank you," Blair sighed. "Honestly, I've thought about it, but I never seriously considered being with a guy. You are the first one for whom I've seriously entertained the notion."

"You never once looked at a guy?" Jim asked concerned.

"No! I mean, yes. I mean... Hell, Naomi taught me better than that, I just never found one that was interesting enough to pull me away from dating women."

"And do I do that for you?" Jim asked softly.

"Yes," Blair smiled. "You drive me to distraction, just by being you. If I ever once thought... ever considered..."

"You'd what?"

"I-I'd have trashed my dissertation and sworn off women long ago." Blair admitted. "I love you Jim, I just didn't know how much until you kissed me."

"Well it's about time," Regis said from behind Blair.

The anthropologist whirled around in surprise. "Oh shit! Don't you know it's rude to sneak up on someone like that."

Regis just shrugged and leaned against the outside of the mansion. He wasn't smiling, but there was a light of mischief in his eyes that bespoke of a man quite happy at what he was seeing.

"What do you have to tell me," Jim asked becoming all business, but continuing to hold Blair's hand.

"Radcliff has been removed and the mess dealt with." Regis said with practiced disinterest. "Danial took off for Brazil after picking up our new enforcer to be head of security down there. The rest of your siblings are at the hospital."

"I'd better get over there," Jim decided. "Father will wonder where Rad is."

Blair stood, "Want me to come with you?"

"Always Blair," Jim smile, he leaned over to whisper in his ear. "But not with an audience." Blair's jaw dropped and a blush crept onto his cheeks. "Gotcha," Jim whispered as he pulled back.

Blair narrowed his eyes and slapped Jim across the arm. "I'll get you for that," he said softly.

"Your car is waiting near the garage. I assumed that you would want to drive there yourself." Regis said as they walked the length of the porch.

Jim nodded, "I'm looking forward to getting behind the wheel, I've had enough of limos for a while."

Blair turned the corner with Jim and stopped in his tracks. Sitting there gleaming in the sun was a Hummer, the enormous vehicle was a luxury jeep on steroids. He had seen a few of them on the streets of Cascade, but had never had a chance to get up close to one.

"This is your's?!" Blair asked. The dark teal paint gleamed in the late afternoon sun. There wasn't a scratch on it.

Jim nodded, "Father gave it to me for my birthday a year ago. I've only driven it a few times. Climb in, and buckle up."

A black sedan pulled out behind them as they headed down the highway. Blair glanced back and recognized the guards that he has met at the airport.

"Not the most subtle bunch are they?" Blair asked.

"They aren't supposed to be," Jim replied. "They were the only reason Father was airlifted to the hospital as quickly as he had been, after the crash. There isn't much in the way of traffic out here."

"It could have been up to an hour before anyone else came by," Jim said matter of factly.

Blair shuddered, "Then he would have died, and you would be in charge for good."

Jim nodded his face a grim mask.

"What would you have done?" Blair asked.

"Nothing different, really," Jim replied. "But I would have had to turn in my badge and resign from the Force. That would have really pissed Simon off."

"Speaking of which," Blair said. "What are we going to tell him?"

Jim turned onto the main road that would take them to the hospital before answering. "The less he knows the safer he would be. Telling him about the Family would just distract him. And he doesn't need any more on his plate."

"But he's not just your boss, he's a friend." Blair insisted.

"Yes, he is," Jim agreed. "Too good a friend to drag him into this. He has a son and a job he loves. Not to mention a promising political career in his future."

"So what are you going to do when you finally do take over the Family?"

"I'll more than likely move here permanently," Jim sighed regretfully. "Which is one reason I don't kiss up to the Mayor or the Chief of Police, because I know no matter what, I won't be around in a decade, maybe less now."

Blair chuckled, "And all this time I thought you just had a political death wish."

Jim rolled his eyes and reached over to slap his shoulder lightly. "Keep it up, Chief."

They drove most of the remaining distance in silence. Jim's hand crept over the distance to lightly clasp Blair's, letting him know that he was thinking about more than just Family business.

They walked together into the hospital, nodding to the doctors and nursing staff as they went. The rest of the Family was standing near the doorway.

"He was asking about Radcliff," Kennith said as they approached. "You had better go in before he starts to get upset."

"I figured as much." Jim replied. "Have you all had time to be with him?" They all nodded solemnly.

"Regis has begun preparations for the funeral." Jim supplied grimly. "Kristin, you know his relatives, better than most of us I want you to make arrangements for them to fly down from Massachusetts as soon as possible."

The well groomed red head nodded. "Right away, Elder."

Jim walked into the private room, Blair at his side this time, instead of hanging back. There hadn't been much change in the set up for Father's bed, but he looked to be a bit more comfortable.

Jim leaned forward and said softly, "Father, it's James. Do you feel like another visitor today?"

The older man's eyes fluttered open, seeing Jim standing above him, he smiled weakly. "Two visits in two days, it must be bad news."

"Some yes," Jim said. "Do you want the good news first?"

"Tell me the hard part first, the others are keeping something from me. I want to know what it is."

Jim gently touched the fading bruises on Father's face, then smoothing back the short hair he said, "You remember, back when I first joined you? You already had Radcliff with you."

"I remember, you two hated each other from the start," Father said. "What has he done now?"

"Father," Jim's voice lowered in regret. "He was the one that tried to kill you."

"No..." Father said in disbelief. "Why would he, he's always been loyal?"

"To you," Jim agreed. "He couldn't stand the thought of me taking over when you retire. He resented you naming me Elder, especially after I came out to you and the rest of the Family."

"Where is he?" Father asked.

"He's dead," Jim replied, knowing better than to beat around the bush with this man. "He tried to kill Kennith, Blair and myself in front of everyone."

"Did you...?"

"No, I wasn't in any position to," Jim replied. "Regis got a shot off when I grabbed for the gun."

"Thank you for telling me," Father said sadly. "I'll have to call his family."

"I wanted you to hear it from me," Jim admitted. "And Kristin is taking care of that. The funeral will be in a few days, after we smooth things over with the locals."

Father nodded carefully. "Now tell me what the good news is, I could use some."

Blair leaned into Father's view. "Your 'son' finally decided to stop running from his fear, and take a chance on getting hurt." As he spoke he took Jim's hand in his, where Father could see.

The grief in the older man's eyes was replaced with a light that was a mixture of relief and amusement. "I told you, James. I'm happy for the both of you.

"Just get better, Father. We'll have a party after you're released from here." Jim replied unable to stop the small smile from gracing his features.

Father's amusement faded a bit. "I was speaking to the doctors today. They think I'll be out of here in a week."

Jim took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "They've done a remarkable job, considering who they have to work with. You just have to do what they say."

Blair saw a strange dichotomy in the scene they created. He holding Jim's hand, while Jim held Father's, connecting the two halves of his life. He realised then how easy it would be to tear his dearest friend apart if he couldn't accept this part of his life.

All he had to do was say that he couldn't deal with it. That what the Family did went against too many of his sensibilities. Then Jim would do everything he could to make sure that this part of his life wouldn't touch Blair. Just like he had been doing for the past three years.

But now that Blair knew what was going on, rejection of the Family would be a fundamental rejection of who Jim was. He had told Jim that he loved him, admitting that his feelings were strong enough to handle the possible social backlash that would come from this kind of relationship. How could he turn around and reject this?

Blair reached over to cover Jim and Father's clasped hands with his own. Both men looked at him, slightly startled. "I may not agree with what the Family does. But I can understand why." he shrugged. "If I'm willing to be in the thick of your police work, I think I can be there for you here."

"You've always been there for James," Father said softly. "I'll admit I had my doubts at first, but then I read your research, and I knew you truly are the only person that could help him. I'm very grateful that you came into his life."

"As am I," Jim said, leaning over to touch his lips to Blair's.

Jim waited in Father's room to talk to the doctors, the sooner Father was on the road to recovery the sooner he and Blair could return to Cascade. He didn't want this burden yet, didn't want to give up being a detective until he was ready.

He had to be honest though, there was never going to be a time when he though that he would be 'ready' for this. It would be foolishness to think that he would be.

It was a kind of personality test that he had read about in some book or other. If you thought you were ready and able to take the reins, then it was a sure sign that you weren't. Radcliff had been that way, and he had paid the price.

"Elder, we've done a thorough exam of Father today," Dr. Borden reported. "The prognosis is quite good considering the amount of damage he suffered. The swelling in his spine has not increased which is a good sign. I see no reason why he should make a full recovery, as long as he goes through his physical therapy with the determination that he has shown so far."

"That's good to hear, doctor," Jim replied. He glanced over at Blair who was down at the other end of the hallway with his cellphone. They had both decided it would be a good idea to call Simon, just to assure the man that they were still alive. "How long before he can go home?"

The doctor was thoughtful for a moment. "As I'm sure he told you, about a week. He'll be confined to a wheelchair for a while yet, but the physical therapy will bring him back to full speed in about a month, as long as he receives the moral support he needs along the way."

Jim smiled brightly. "I don't think that will be a problem, doctor."

Blair listened to the phone as it rang, waiting for the other end to pick up. "Banks," came the quick response.

"Hey, Simon it's Blair."

"Sandburg! It's about time one of you called me," The captain growled in relief. "Are you okay?"

"We're fine, Blair replied quietly. "Jim still has some things he needs to take care of here though."

The sound of the PA system paging a doctor echoed through the hall. "Why does it sound like you're in a hospital?" Simon demanded. His voice was gruff, but Blair could hear the genuine concern in his voice.

"Well it's a little complicated, but a family member of Jim's was hurt and that's why he had to come here. It's pretty much taken care of, I think, just a few loose ends to tie up. But, Jim's going to have to be here a little while longer until this guy is feeling better."

"Can't someone else in his family do that?" Simon groused. "I mean I understand family obligations. But he has a lot of work piling up here."

"Trust me on this one," Blair said softly. "There is no one that could do this as well as Jim can. Honestly, he's needed here more at the moment than he is back in Cascade."

"So when do you think you'll be back?" Simon asked, catching the hint that there was serious things going on.

"Honestly, I'm not sure," Blair admitted. "I'd say another two weeks. Maybe a little more."

"Two weeks?" Simon sighed. "Well, at least it's quiet here at the moment. I want you two to be careful. The last thing I need is to here that either of you ended up in the hospital as a patient."

"Understood, Simon," Blair replied. "We do our best."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Simon groaned.

"Father is going to recover from his injures." Jim told his partner with a soft smile.

"Thats great!" Blair enthused. "

"Then we had better get started." Jim said. He kissed Blair then, hard enough for both of them end it gasping afterward. He then turned and led the way back to the entrance to the hospital. "Evans, we're going back to the mansion." He told his escort. She nodded tersely and headed back to her sedan, while Jim and Blair climbed back into the Hummer.

Back at the mansion Jim met Kristin who had the unenviable task of requesting the Winchester family come to the property.

"They aren't taking this well, Elder." she said with a hint of annoyance. "They have old money and lots of it. Just the idea of being summoned has them riled up."

"Have you told them why they needed to come?" Jim asked. Blair only a step behind him as they walked through the foyer and into the library.

"Just that there has been an incident, and that they need to come down."

"Good," Jim nodded. He took in his 'sister's' vitals. "I want to meet them in here. I also want the security tapes of what happened ready in case they try to sue for wrongful death."

"You think that's a possibility?" Blair asked.

"Maybe," Kristen said. "You never can tell with them. Word of caution, Blair, let James do the talking. He has dealt with them before, and they are twitchy at the best of times."

"What are they like?" Blair sat down in one of the expensive leather reading chairs.

"Like Kristin said," Jim sighed. "Old money. Father brought Radcliff into the Family because his connections in that part of society proved useful in the beginning."

"I take it he thought he was going to be a bigger part of things?"

"He didn't like some anonymous Army grunt coming in pulling the rug out from under him."

"Hell, James, he didn't like the idea of women being the same rank as him, you think he could take having you over him?" Kristin shook her head in disgust. "The only reason none of us killed him earlier was because of Father. He refused to admit what a mistake bringing the son of a friend into this was."

"He's human, Kristen," Jim said softly. "Not a god. With all that he accomplished over the years, if Radcliff was his one major mistake, then we should count ourselves lucky."

"But what kind of damage has Rad done?" she asked. "How many teams were sent to their deaths due to poor planning and bad decision making on his part?"

"We'll know soon enough," Adam said entering the library. "Danial called, things are bad down in Brazil, but not unsalvageable. The new enforcer has lived up to his rep, James. Good call with him."

Blair glanced around at the three of them. "Why do I get the impression this 'enforcer' isn't your typical recruit."

Jim smirked, "Because enforcers are our big guns. We send them in when things get ugly. They have one job, protect the Family. They get paid a great deal of money for what they do, because what they do isn't very nice."

"So who is this new guy?" Blair asked. "Not one of Oliver's old cronies I hope."

Adam shrugged, "No, though you're in the right area. Ex-CIA operative. He's a hell of a shot, and an expert in experimental weapons."

"You handled him quite well, considering his level of training."

Blair gaped, "You can't mean Brackett, can you? Jim, the man is a sociopath!"

"Actually, he's not." Jim said reluctantly. "He's just a greedy SOB with the training to scare the shit out of a whole lot of people"

"Well he sure scared me." Blair admitted. "How did you recruit him, and why?"

"He was privy to sensitive information about me," Jim said. "There were other less than honorable groups that wanted to use what he knows. Adam and I went to the Federal prison and offered him a deal. He took it, and has spent the past year in intensive training for his new position."

"And you trust him?" Blair asked.

"We have an agreement. He doesn't betray the Family, and I don't hunt him down and shoot him dead." Jim smiled wickedly.

"I guess that works in a twisted sort of way." Blair muttered.

"Don't worry Sandburg," Adam said. "Brackett may be amoral, but he does enjoy the work we have set for him. He gets to intimidate potential threats and protect our people, meanwhile he gets paid a great deal of money."

Blair gave all of them a skeptical look. "I'll just take your word for it."

Regis entered a moment later, "The Winchesters are here Elder," he said. "If you won't be needing me, I'm going to visit Father."

"Go on Regis, we have everything covered," Jim reassured him.

"I'll escort them here," Adam said.

He straightened his jacket, and exited the room. Jim motioned for Blair to stand beside him. Kristin moved to stand on the opposite side of the room from the door. Her stance suggested she was expecting trouble.

Adam returned with two men following him. One was a man on his late 60's the other a younger man in his early 30s

"Ferris Winchester the Third, and his son Charles." Adam introduced them formally.

"Mr. Winchester," Jim greeted. "Charles. I'm sorry to have to bring you down here so unexpectedly."

"Spare me the formalities, James," Ferris said. "I want to know who is responsible for my eldest son's death."

Jim's face hardened just a fraction. "If you would sit down, I will explain what has happened here." He waited for the elder Winchester to sit down, Charles elected to remain standing, but moved to be slightly behind his father.

Over the next ten minutes Blair watched as Jim explained what had happened. He stayed with the facts and did not gloss over any details. Blair kept his expression neutral during this time, occasionally glancing over at Kristin, as the color on the younger Winchester's face became gradually redder with each passing moment.

"This is such bullshit!" Charles shouted.

"Charles calm yourself." Ferris said smoothly. "I want to know if there is any evidence to back up this statement."

"Yes, the mansion's security cameras were recording during the incident. I'll give you a copy if you wish." Jim replied.

"Evidence? Father these people killed Rad, how can you sit here and just accept it? We should call in the police at least."

"No son, that would bring attention to the Family, and I respect James' father too much to bring this group under scrutiny." Ferris said sadly. He stood slowly, the weight of what his son had done seem to effect him.

"Who cares about that? My brother is dead and all you care about is this debt between you and him." Charles huffed. "Rad may have been a jerk at times, but he didn't deserve to be gunned down like that."

"Your brother tried to kill me, as well as James and another Family member." Blair interjected. "He was not gunned down, he was shot to save our lives."

"Who the hell are you?" Charles wheeled around. He took in Blair's appearance with a look of disgust. "Little hippy wanna-be."

"I'd rather be a hippy than a spoiled little rich boy like your brother." Blair retorted.

Charles moved to attack Blair, but was restrained by Jim, who strong-armed him into the chair Ferris had just vacated. "You are in my house, Mr. Winchester," He reminded the younger man with a voice that sent chills down everyone. "You will respect those with in it. I am sorry for your loss, but Radcliff made his choice, and he paid for it. Remember that, before you try to exact revenge of any sort in his name."

"Now, if you will excuse me, Kristin and Adam will help you arrange for a burial. I have business that I have to attend to."

"Of course," Ferris nodded solemnly. "You are taking over for your father while he is in the hospital."

"Yes," Jim replied. "It is something I take very seriously." With that he motioned for Blair to proceed him, and the two men left the library.

Blair followed Jim as he made his way to the kitchen. He still wasn't sure of all the twists and turns in this spacious mansion, but he was learning.

Jim walked past the staff, nodding as he went. He opened the door to the commercial sized refrigerator and grabbed two bottles of beer. One he handed to Blair, the other he opened and took a large swallow of. "I think we're going to have problems with the Winchesters."

"No, you think?" Blair said sarcastically. "I understand the guy is grieving for his brother, but that doesn't give him the right to act like an asshole."

"His attitude had nothing to do with grief." Jim said. "Rad and Charles have hated each other for years, because Rad was the heir to their family's fortune. Most of what you saw in there was an act for the sake of his father."

"What I'm worried about is Ferris," Jim said. "He was much too accepting of his son's death at our hands. We'll have to keep an eye on what he does from now on."

Blair opened his beer and took a sip. "You were expected what, exactly? For him to storm out, become all indignant?"

Jim lead the way up to a set of stairs that seemed to be a round-about way to their bedrooms. "I'm really not sure, just a feeling I have."

"Maybe your sixth sense is heightened too?" Blair asked half serious.

"And maybe it's just old fashioned cop instinct," Jim retorted as he opened his bedroom door.

His partner grinned at him, "If you say so."

Jim couldn't help but grin back. "Yes I say so."

Once in the spacious quarters, Jim ordered food to be brought up. He then called Vox, and received an update from Danial, in Brazil, via the next generation of video phones.

"We're cleaning up the mess Radcliff left," he said with a disgusted snort. "I think we can blame him for allowing Cyclops Oil into the protected preserve. I have evidence of pay-offs and some shitty dealings going on."

"How long before things get back normal," Jim asked. Blair gasped when the familiar face of Brackett came into view.

"I'd say about a week. Some of the cartels down here aren't too happy about things getting shaken up. But we have good ground and a lot better equipment than most of them. We'll be able to handle it." the ex-CIA agent reported. "Hey Sandburg, bet you never thought you'd see me again."

Blair shook his head in disbelief, "Only in my nightmares."

"Cheer up, Sandburg." Lee grinned viscously. "The only time you'll see me face to face, is if all hell breaks loose."

"Leonardo," Jim growled. "Watch it."

"Leonardo?" Blair's eyes gleamed with mischief.

"I'm beginning to regret this little career change." Lee muttered, his face held just the slightest hint of embarrassment.

"You're both doing a great job down there. But watch your backs. There's no telling who Radcliff bribed," Jim said. "I'm authorizing you to go to alert status Zeta. Make it a clean sweep. I don't want to lose any more good people, and that includes you."

There was a surprised pause, then Brackett assured him. "We'll take the necessary precautions."

The call was ended and Jim sagged into one of the overstuffed chairs in the sitting area. "I almost regret not having been here all these years, almost wish I hadn't returned to Cascade after Peru."

"What?! How can you say that?" Blair asked furious. "You've done a lot of good things in Cascade."

"Yeah, and I also let Radcliff run amuck for too long."

"Father should have known, not you." Blair reminded him. "Don't feel guilty because you needed a life other than this for a while."

With a slightly nervous smile Blair added, "Besided, if you hadn't stayed in Cascade, we might never have met."

Jim faced his dearest friend. "I don't even want to imagine what kind of person I would be now if it hadn't been for you," he said in earnest. "I was so tired before I met you. I just did what I needed to. But you brought a light into my gray world, and for that and so much more I will be forever grateful."

Jim cupped Blair's chin in his hands, he leaned in to bring his strong thin lips against Blair's soft full ones. The sentinel was surprised by the enthusiastic response, as Blair leaned into the kiss and wrapped his arms around Jim's body to pull him close.

Jim ran his tongue lightly against the full lips, asking permission to enter, when they parted he wasted no time in exploring the unique flavor of his guide's mouth.

Blair groaned and sucked greedily on the hot intruder. He cupped the back of Jim's head and ground their lips together, trying to bring them closer.

They pulled back reluctantly, needing air, and a little space. Jim leaned his forehead against Blair's, his eyes half lidded. "You have no idea how much I needed that," he whispered.

"No more than I did." Blair smiled back. "Anyone ever tell you, you're a hell of a kisser?"

"Not in so many words," he replied. His left hand came up to free Blair's hair from its tie. "You would be the first to say it as an honest compliment."

Blair's expression darkened for a moment, "Tell me about it later?"

"I promise, no more secrets between us," Jim said stepping back to pull off his jacket.

"No more running from my eternal quest to learn everything about you?" Blair asked, teasing.

Jim laughed, tossing his expensive jacket onto the chair, instead of hanging it up. "You can ask me anything."

"And you'll give me a straight answer?" Blair was incredulous.

"Yes," Jim said unbuttoning his shirt slowly. "I didn't want to tell you everything, because I thought the longer it took for you to get all that information, the more time I would have to find a way to tell you how I felt about you."

"But you were like getting blood from a stone from the beginning." Blair reminded him.

"Well there was also the fact that at first," Jim raised a hand. "Just at first, I found you to be hyperactive and annoying, like a puppy on a sugar rush."

"Oh gee, thanks," Blair grimaced.

"But," Jim moved back into his space, tilting Blair's face up with a finger under his chin. "After I got to know you better, I wanted you to stay."

Blair pulled off his own jacket and tossed it haphazardly on the floor. He reached for Jim's shirt, and pulled it open in one move. His eyes wandered over the planes of hard flesh, as the reality of their actions caught up with him. "I'm a little nervous," he admitted.

"I won't do anything that makes you uncomfortable," Jim promised.

Jim stripped down to his boxers, and helped Blair do the same, then led him to the bed. "I love you, Blair," he said.

He sat down on the edge, pulling Blair to stand between his legs. The younger man ran his hands over Jim's shoulders and back as he kissed a slow path down Blair's chest.

Blair gasped as Jim's hot mouth covered his right nipple. Light suction brought the sensitive flesh to a tight peak, Blair felt himself harden from the attention. His erection brushed against Jim's stomach through his boxers.

Jim moved to give the left nipple attention. Then he wrapped his arms around Blair's waist and lay back, bringing his lover down with him.

Jim closed his eyes and hummed in delight at the feel of Blair's weight on top of him. The friction of skin on skin was a feast for his senses.

Blair captured his mouth as they rubbed together.

Jim torn his mouth away moaning with need. He panted and thrust up against Blair's body. "I want you... want you in me." he said.

Blair stilled his movements when the words registered in his lust fogged mind. He looked down into Jim's eyes and saw the need there.

"Have you ever done it with a woman?" Jim asked, the worry in Blair's expression calming him as well.

"A few times," Blair admitted, blushing.

"There isn't much difference, you know." Jim said as he stroked Blair's cheek. "You don't have to, if you're not comfortable."

Blair shuddered. "I want to, but I'm worried that I'll hurt you."

"You won't," Jim smiled. "I may not go out with guys often, but that doesn't mean I don't... keep in practice."

"Huh?" Blair asked. "Oh! You mean you... oh, god." He wasn't sure if he was more embarrassed or turned on by the thought of Jim masturbating with sex toys.

Jim took Blair's reaction as a positive one, and reached over to the night table. Inside, undisturbed since his last time here was a tube of Astroglide. "Please?" he asked.

Blair carefully got up, and off of Jim to remove his boxers. Jim smiled and did the same, stealing a quick kiss before laying back down, this time on his stomach.

Blair felt his mouth go dry at the sight of Jim's naked body spread out before him. His hands shook as he opened the tube and poured some of the slick lubricant on his fingers.

"I'm going to go slow, Jim." Blair said placing his left hand at the base of Jim's spine.

"Take all the time you need, love." Jim sighed contentedly, his head resting on his arms.

Blair rubbed lube into the tight opening, and was delighted when Jim groaned his need for more. He slid a finger into Jim's ass, amazed at how easily the tight pucker began to loosen.

Following Jim's directions, Blair loosened him, working his way from one to three fingers gradually. He was careful to make sure he had enough lubricant on his fingers at all times. Blair gasped as the tight muscle clenched around his fingers, he couldn't see how he could do this without hurting Jim.

"Please," Jim whispered, shaking hard. His hands clutched at the pillow under his head. "I need you."

"Jim I don't want to hurt you. I want to be sure you're ready." Blair was shocked at how shaky he sounded. He was so hard just from watching Jim's reactions that he thought he would explode.

"Blair," his voice filled with lustful need. "I'm ready, trust me. I trust you."

"Okay," Blair breathed out. Jim whimpered with loss as he pulled his fingers from the loosened opening. With trembling hands he rolled a condom over his aching shaft.

Jim raised his hips in anticipation, spreading his legs wider when he felt Blair move into position behind him.

Blair guided the tip of his shaft to the moist pucker with his hand. He ran his other hand up and down Jim's muscular back in an attempt to calm both of them.

He pushed forward slowly, feeling resistance to his attempt at entrance.

Jim would have none of it. He pushed back, impaling himself on Blair's erection. "Yessss," he hissed at the initial stab of pain. He had wanted this for so long, the small discomfort was worth it.

Blair gasped as his cock was enveloped by the hottest tightest passage he'd ever been in. He used the momentum Jim had created and pushed deeper, pulling back a little then thrusting deeper each time.

"Oh, Chief... Blair," Jim panted. "I can feel everything, I can feel your pulse."

Blair lowered his body until he lay across Jim's sweaty back. His head rested on Jim's shoulder and neck. They lay joined hard and needy for a moment, Blair covered as much of Jim's body as he could, absorbing the feel of his lover.

Not able to hold back any more Blair thrust in a steady rhythm. Jim cried out with each thrust, as the hard shaft rubbed his prostate.

Blair knew he was close, and not wanting to leave Jim hanging, he reached around and pumped Jim hard leaking shaft in counter point to their primitive dance.

Jim opened his mouth to scream his completion, but no sound came out, just a shuddering gasp as he spilled his essence over the sheets and Blair's hand.

The clenching ass muscles set Blair off, thrusting hard and fast into his lover's body. He cried out Jim's name as he came, stiffening as his cock pulsed.

He carefully pulled out, making sure not to lose the condom, then rolled the spent latex off and tossed it toward the small trash can near the bed. He lowered his head back down onto Jim's back, panting softly, trying to pick up the scattered pieces of his brain.

Jim floated happily just on the edge of sleep, his senses tuned into the sexual haze that surrounded them, allowing him to feel Blair's pulse slow to normal.

When he reached down to pull the comforter over the both of them, Blair shifted off his back. Jim wrapped his armed around his sleepy lover, burying his nose in the sweat soaked curls. "I love you, Blair."

Blair smiled contentedly, enjoying the feeling of being held. "Love you, Jim."

Jim woke to the sound of the phone beeping softly. He had set it on the quietest setting when he had first arrived.

He was spooned up against Blair's back, his semi hard penis nestled between Blair's ass cheeks. With a reluctant sigh, he pulled away from his still sleeping lover, and answered the phone.

"Sorry to disturb you, James," said Regis. "But, you wanted to know when dinner was ready."

"Thank you," Jim's stomach growled at the thought of food. "Did you have a good visit with Father?"

"Yes, he's getting restless. I told him not to rush things."

"Good, we'll be down in 20 minutes." Jim said.

"I didn't... interrupt anything did I?" the older man sounded genuinely concerned.

Jim chuckled, "Nothing more than a well needed nap."

"If you say so, James." Regis chuckled as well. "I'll see you at dinner."

Jim hung up the phone and snuggled back under the covers.

"Who was that?" Blair asked sleepily.

"Dinner will be ready soon." Jim said then kissed the top of Blair's head. "You hungry?"

"Depends, are you on the menu?" he leered.

"I think I created a monster." Jim smiled.

"No, I've just got a real narrow focus now for all my urges." Blair said teasingly, leaning over to steal a kiss.

The moment of romance was ruined by the embarrassingly loud rumble from Blair's stomach. They both fell into a fit of laughter.

"I guess we better stoke the furnaces," Jim snickered. "Don't want to pass out from hunger."

Blair groaned, "This is just a pit stop, man. I want to get to know Jim, the lover, as well as I know Jim the cop."

"Just remember, this is a two way street. For every secret I give up, you have to do the same."

"Deal," Blair said, "Race you to the shower!"

Jim laughed out right, "No fair, you have a head start!"

They shared the large shower, soaping each other down and rinsing off. They used as much hot water as they wanted. By the time they made it down for dinner, the meal of roast duck was being served.

Blair looked at the large dining room where all the VP's were seated. There were three seats empty. Jim sat at the head of the table, while Blair took the open seat next to him. The only remaining seat was at the opposite end from Jim.

"That is Father's seat," Adam answered Blair's quizzical glance.

"You'll keep it open until he is back?" Blair asked.

"Or until he officially declares he can no longer lead," Kennith said. "Then it becomes James' seat."

Blair absorbed this as he ate. "This is really good."

"We have a few very talented cooks, amazing what happens when we let Army trained chefs go to culinary school." Adam said.

"Is everyone ex-military?"

"Not everyone," Jim said. "But we tend to hire for what we know. The training is excellent. Many of the skills the Family needs can be found in the armed forces."

"Which reminds me," Jim began, addressing the whole table. "I need each of you to pull two people from your region, to send down to South America. I'll be conducting the recruitment myself this year, so I'll need a list of what each of your area's is in need of before I return to Cascade."

"Also, I want your recommendations for a replacement for Radcliff. We cannot have a vacuum at this level."

They all nodded. Blair was expecting a sudden flood of names or ideas, but they were all restrained. It was obvious they were giving James' words due consideration.

The siblings unwound a bit, talking more causally about what was going on in their lives. Blair was asked to tell the story of how he and Jim first met. Blair edited the tale a little, but it seemed that they all enjoyed hearing his lively story.

"I think James is the only man that could throw a guy against a wall and end up being best friends with them a year later." Kristen snickered. "And to think, we were all thought James' lack of personal skills would scare everyone away."

"I have personal skills," Jim said indignantly. "I just store them for when they'll be most useful.

"When is that?" Blair asked. "I don't think I've ever seen you use them, and I've been with you for three years."

That was the beginning of a free for all of bad jokes and ribbing which broke down the tension that had permeated the house since Jim and Blair had arrived. For the first time in what must have been years, the Family actually felt like one.

A week later:

The funeral for Radcliff Winchester was a somber affair. Over a hundred mourners gathered to pay their respects to the eldest son of the Winchester family. Many were there because of business ties to Ferris, rather than any sort of emotional attachment to the deceased.

The members of the Family attended, but out of respect kept their distance from the Winchesters.

Jim stood grim faced next to Father's wheelchair, his hands clenched tightly behind his back. Blair was by his side, just close enough to brush against him.

When the mass ended, everyone slowly passed the coffin as they made their way out of the chapel. Finally there were only Winchesters and the Family, one by one the VPs passed the casket until only Jim, Blair, and Father remained.

Ferris Winchester approached the trio with a grim expression. Father met his gaze, while he was still weak, he didn't have the strength to sustain the stare for long, but it was long enough. Ferris dropped his eyes first, grief obvious in his bearing.

"I'm sorry this happened. my old friend," Father said softly.

"You kept your word to me," Ferris said. "He was protected as long as he didn't threaten your organization. But I can not forgive the loss of my oldest son."

"I understand," Father replied sadly. "I'll miss our friendship."

Seeing that the conversation was over, Jim wheeled Father to the exit, Blair a step behind them. Once outside, the security escort kept the press away while they brought Father to his limo.

"James, I think it's time for you to go back to Cascade," Father broke the silence as they road back to the mansion. "I'm healthy enough now to handle the daily duties."

Jim looked startled, "You've barely been out of the hospital for two days. You need to get your stamina up."

"Nonsense, Regis can handle things if he thinks I'm overdoing it, and the staff is quite pleased to wait on me for some odd reason."

Blair watched in fascination as relief and concern warred for dominance in his lover. "It's really not a problem, Sir. We could stay another week or so," he offered.

"Blair, I'll be fine," Father reassured.

When they reached the mansion, Jim knelt before him. Slipping the gold ring from his finger he placed it onto Father's. Then, as tradition dictated, he kissed the ring. "I pledge my loyalty to you, Father."

"James, you of all my children, do not need to pledge," he said softly. "You proved your loyalty to me long ago."

Jim tried to protest, but Father interrupted him. "Blair, I want you to take good care of him."

"I will," Blair promised. "He's the most important thing in my life."

Father smiled brightly. "And I can see that the same is true for James as well."

Jim smiled brightly, "Yes, he is."

The next day, Jim and Blair disembarked from the private jet at Cascade International. Debra Evans, Jim's head of security accompanied them back despite Jim's protests. "You can't pretend that you don't need the protection." Adam had argued. "Your safety and that of Blair are too important to screw around with, and you know it."

Even Blair had agreed that one guard nearby might not be such a terrible thing. "Elder, the limo is waiting for us at the parking area." she said.

"Evans," Jim said sternly. "We need to set a few ground rules while you are here. First off: you will not under any circumstances interfere with an investigation. Secondly: you will never refer to me as Elder in public, I'm Detective Ellison or Jim. Thirdly: You will be living in the apartment down down the hall from us, but unless there is an imminent threat, you are not my guard. You are just a neighbor. Is that understood?"

"Understood, Eld- Jim." Evans agreed.

"Good," Jim nodded in approval. "Let's go home, I want to get out of this monkey suit and back the precinct before my desk is buried under paperwork."

"Like it wasn't before you left?" Blair smiled at Jim's stern countenance. "Ahh I love the smell of white-out in the morning."

As the brick building at 852 Prospect came into view, Blair had a feeling of deja-vu. He had begun this adventure by returning from a long trip. Now seeing the place he called home for over three years, he wondered how long it would be before they would have to return to the opulent Virginia mansion.

So much had changed in two weeks not just his view of the man he was partnered with, but his whole relationship was different. He was at once excited and frightened by the speed of the change.

Stepping into the loft, he saw that nothing had changed inside. But for the first time in their life together, Jim had no secrets from him. And while he may not be totally comfortable with what he had learned, as Jim pulled him into his arms for their first kiss at home, he couldn't find a reason to mourn the changes.

The End

I hope you liked it.