In the Doghouse
by Caillech

Blair Sandburg burst off the elevator and hustled his way through the crowded hall and into the bullpen. He hurried toward Jim’s desk pulling off his backpack and jacket as he went. Arriving at his partner’s desk he dropped the items unceremoniously in a heap at his feet. His hands immediately began a frantic dance in time to the rhythm of his breathless words.

“Man, I am so sorry I’m late, Jim. You would not believe the morning I had. It was so, you know, Murphy’s Law…anything that could go wrong, did. I got away as soon as I could. And to top it all off, I missed my ride and had to wait for the bus.”

Jim chuckled and held up both hands gesturing for Blair to stop. “Whoa, whoa, slow down there, Chief. Things got a little backed up here and the meeting has been pushed back. We’ve still got about a half hour before Simon needs us. Sit down and catch your breath. I’ll go get us some coffee.”

“Thanks, man. I could use it.” Blair plopped himself in Jim’s chair, pulled his backpack up off the floor and began rummaging through it.

Jim made it as far as the bullpen doors when he met Joel and Rafe standing in the doorway looking back into the busy room.

“What’s up guys?”

The younger detective halted Jim with a quick nod of his head toward the older detective’s desk, indicating that they were watching something…inviting Jim to join the silent observation. A confused looking Jim turned to see what was going on just as Henry Brown approached an unsuspecting Blair from behind.

H glanced up to confirm that his audience was in place. Pulling his hand from behind his back, H held up the hidden object for the spectators to see. He then proceeded to place a large fuzzy tarantula on Blair’s right shoulder and stepped back to watch the anticipated reaction.

Absorbed in going over the case notes he had prepared for the upcoming meeting, Blair was completely unaware of the activity that was taking place near him.

He became aware of something moving out of the corner of his eye about a half-second before his brain registered what was causing the movement.

Blair jumped frantically to his feet, wiggling and shaking his body in an animated attempt to dislodge the unwanted visitor from the front of his shirt. His wild motions were met with unrestrained laughter from the conspirators.

“Get it off! Somebody get it off me!”

Blair abruptly stopped gyrating as the hairy creature changed directions and began creeping toward his face. Frozen with fear, Blair’s memory of being in the university lab with Alec…deadly poisonous spiders covering their bodies…came crashing into his mind. Eyes wide, he tracked the slow movement, unable to move.

Deciding that the desired reaction had been achieved, H stepped up and gently plucked the harmless arachnid from Blair’s shirt. He took a few steps back, reaching for the empty jar from which the fuzzball had been extracted.

“Take it easy, Hairboy. It’s just a tarantula…can’t hurt ya, babe.” H was barely able to contain his laughter. “But, man, you shoulda seen the look on your face! It was absolutely priceless.”

Blair stood rooted to the spot…a shocked, dazed look on his face.

Just as the three other highly amused detectives approached, Blair uprooted himself. He started toward H, arms in motion, ready to inflict some damage to the prankster.

“Can’t hurt me? Are you out of your mind? Look at that thing!”

His forward motion was cut off when Jim grabbed him around the waist, lifted him off his feet and swung him away from H, arms still flailing.

“Whoa, Chief. It was just a joke. No harm done.”

Blair tried to twist himself free from his blessed protector’s hold, intent on resuming his mission to inflict bodily harm on the still laughing H.

“You’re kidding, right? Just a joke? Well I’m not laughing, am I?” The look in Blair’s eyes and the rapid beat of his heart signaled to Jim that his guide was far from amused.

When it came to playing practical jokes Blair always gave as good as he got. He had never before been such a poor sport when on the receiving end. Jim decided it was time to put a stop to his guide’s tirade.

Not releasing his hold on the still squirming grad student, Jim gave Blair a quick shake.  “That’s right. It was a joke. There’s no reason for you to act like this over a harmless joke. Now, just settle down.”

The sudden realization that Jim had no clue as to why he found this ‘joke’ not the least bit funny hit Blair like a ton of bricks. The incident in the lab had terrified Blair. Jim knew, or least he should have known, why Blair was reacting this way to this particular joke.

His wild struggles ceased as his anger at H dissipated, replaced by annoyance at Jim.

Blair’s voice was flat as he asked to be released. “You can let go now, Jim. I’m fine. No problem. It was just a joke.”

Jim tightened his hold slightly, unwilling to believe that Blair had capitulated so easily.

“You better mean it, Junior. No retaliation. Got it?” Jim punctuated his remarks with another quick shake.

“I got it. Please…let go.”

Jim loosened his grip and without a backward glance at the four older men Blair pulled away and stomped out of the bullpen.

H, Rafe and Joel all turned to Jim, confusion written all over their faces. H spoke up, voicing the concern they all felt.

“Is he okay? I never thought…none of us thought…that he’d get so mad. That’s just not like hairboy. Maybe one of us should go see if he’s all right.”

Shrugging his shoulders at his guide’s uncharacteristic behavior Jim sat back down at his desk.

“Let him go. I’m sure he’ll be fine. He just needs some time to cool off.”

Jim tracked the sound of his retreating guide’s heartbeat and, satisfied that it had returned to a normal pace for his hyper guide, began preparing for the upcoming meeting in Simon’s office.
 

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Twenty minutes later Blair knocked on Simon’s door and entered the office. Jim was already seated at one end of the conference table, facing the door. An empty chair was on his right, obviously meant for Blair. H was seated next to the empty chair with Rafe on his right, at the end of the table. Simon sat at the head of the table, to Jim’s left. The two detectives from Vice, Lawson and Daniels, were seated opposite Jim, leaving one empty chair on their side of the table.

Quickly surveying the available seats, Blair sat in the chair next to Daniels, barely acknowledging Jim’s presence. He busied himself by shuffling and rearranging the papers in front of him and then glanced up at Simon as if signaling his okay for the meeting to begin.

Simon looked at Jim who was clearly not happy at Blair’s seating choice. The sentinel preferred that his guide be close to him, in a less vulnerable position.

Jim tried to signal Blair, sending silent hints across the table by means of not so subtle body language and quiet hissing noises. Four detectives and one police captain seemed to understand the message being sent by the agitated cop. They exchanged bemused looks with each other and then looked at the young grad student, waiting to see Blair’s reaction to Jim’s directive.

Blair ignored him.

“Are we going to get started soon Simon? Are we waiting for someone else?” Blair’s innocent expression didn’t fool anyone at the table, least of all Jim. Of course, he hadn’t meant to fool anyone. His message was also understood by the entire audience.

“Right…okay. Lawson why don’t we start with what you and Daniels have?” Simon took command and proceeded with the meeting.

All the reports were given and discussed. None of Blair’s usual enthusiasm displayed itself.

Blair delivered his findings in a cool tone of voice, clarifying any stray points and politely answering any questions asked by the detectives.

Except for Jim’s.

His partner’s queries were barely acknowledged and were met with short, curt answers and dismissive gestures.

Decisions about the direction the case needed to go were made and assignments handed out. As soon as Simon dismissed everyone, Blair was on his feet and out the door.

Jim pursued his young partner, intending to demand an apology for the behavior just displayed. Blair was obviously still pissed about the practical joke and Jim was determined to let him know that the spoiled brat routine at a department meeting was not acceptable.

He caught up with Blair in the middle of the bullpen. Reaching out, he snagged the collar of the retreating flannel shirt and spun Blair around to face him.

“What the hell was that all about, Sandburg?” Jim’s demand was clearly heard by everyone in the vicinity. “If you’re still upset about what happened earlier, why not take it out on the perps?” He jerked his head in a questioning manner back toward Simon’s door where H and Rafe were just coming into view.

Blair stood toe to toe with Jim as he calmly answered. “I’m not upset with H or Rafe. Or about what happened. What gave you that idea?” He peered over Jim’s shoulder at the two befuddled detectives and gave them a quick wave. “See? No hard feelings.”

Jim arched his eyebrows and brought his face almost nose to nose with Blair. “So what you’re trying to tell me is that you’re upset with me…is that it?”

Blair’s silence answered Jim’s question.

“Well, I don’t get it. It wasn’t my idea and you know it. So why are you so upset with me?”

Trying to contain his annoyance, Blair slowed his breathing as he spoke sentinel-soft to Jim.

“You’re a detective,” he said in a sarcastic voice. “Try getting a clue.”

And with that, he turned and walked rapidly out of the bullpen leaving a stunned Jim in his wake.
 

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An uncomfortable silence descended inside the truck. Blair sat as far from Jim as possible within the confines of the cab. His body plastered against the passenger door, he spent the ride from the station to the loft gazing out the window, seeing nothing.

Blair tried analyzing why he was so upset by this whole incident. It really had been a good joke. He must have looked pretty funny trying to dislodge the tarantula. No one meant any harm. If the creature hadn’t decided to crawl toward his face and trigger the memory of the spider incident, Blair would have been congratulating H on the surprise attack instead of trying to take a swing at the prankster.

Who was he trying to kid? It all came down to the fact that Jim had blown the whole thing off.

Jim took his eyes off the road once more as he looked over at Blair, not understanding why his guide was giving him the cold shoulder. ‘Get a clue, huh?’ Well, maybe that was just what he needed to do.

Okay.

He turned into the next parking lot and stopped the truck. Ignoring the annoyed look that Blair gave him, Jim closed his eyes and concentrated on replaying the earlier scene in his mind. He slowed his breathing, as Blair had taught him and allowed his senses to ‘see’ what he had missed.

Blair absorbed in preparing for the meeting. Nothing unusual.

H sneaking up behind Blair and silently instigating the joke. Nothing strange yet.

Blair noticing the intruder and reacting. Okay…here was something. Surprise, increased heartbeat and breathing. Slightly elevated perspiration. All to be expected under the circumstances.

And then…wait. Jim’s sense memory zeroed in. Fear. His guide’s fear. He could see it clearly now…feel it, smell it, taste it. What had triggered it? Jim replayed the event again, more slowly…this time focusing on what happened just prior to the intense fear exhibited by Blair.

He saw it then…Blair unable to move…eyes wide…looking down at his chest… tracking movement. Of a spider…spiders…deadly spiders.

“Jim? Jim, man…come back. Come on, Jim…listen to my voice and follow it back.” His guide’s soft calm voice broke through the mini zone-out as Jim became aware of Blair’s hand gently rubbing his forearm, coaxing him back.

“What was that all about? What were you concentrating on? Don’t do that, man. You scared the shit out me. One minute we’re driving along and the next minute you just pull into Bagel Heaven and put yourself into la-la land.”

Jim relaxed visibly as the sound of Blair’s voice washed over him. He allowed himself only a moment to enjoy it.

“Oh, God, Blair…the spiders. I’d forgotten about the spiders. I’m sorry, Chief.” Guilt played across Jim’s face as tried to make amends. Reaching over, he grabbed Blair by the nape of his neck and gave him an affectionate squeeze. “We’re going back to the station right now and I’m going to kick some ass.”

Jim sat up straighter and put the truck in gear, ready to belatedly fulfill his role as Blessed Protector.

“Nah, Jim…forget about it, man. It was just a joke. I can take a joke, you know. I mean, look what I put up with living with you.” Blair’s brilliant smile accompanied the lame insult. “Let’s just go home. I’ll cook. Maybe we can rent a movie or two.”

Jim returned the smile, amazed once again at his fortune at having this special soul as his guide.

“You got it, Junior. Dinner and a movie it is.”

With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes and an innocent smile Jim asked, “How about 'Arachnophobia?'”
 

End.

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