Chapter Seven – Entering Reality

The Dream World releases its victims slowly but whether it leaves traces of the devastation it wrought is unknown. Time is the only method of testing the theory of successful extraction. Wait, see, hope and pray... for that is all one can do until the truth is finally revealed.

~*~*~*~

“Joel, you’re with me.” Simon bellowed. “Brown, I want you and Megan to cover Rafe. Let’s go people.”

As a team the four people sitting at Simon’s conference table rose and headed for the garage to head to the hospital. There was a sudden and unexplainable need for urgency. Simon felt it most strongly but it was telegraphed to his people and they raced towards the hospital. They broke every speed limit and traffic law in their haste but the need was too great to slow down or be more careful than needed.

Twenty minutes after leaving the precinct the two cars screeched to a halt outside the emergency room doors. Four police officers piled from the car and raced into the hospital.

The team of four split into two groups and raced for the two different floors. A large group on the main elevator held Joel and Simon up for almost fifteen minutes but they finally arrived on the fifth floor and headed down the hall toward the ICU.

Both men drew up sharply at the lack of guards outside the room. They exchanged a quick glance before racing into the room. Horror rose up deep in Simon’s chest as he saw the empty bed. Jim Ellison was gone. Blair lay there, wire and tubes disconnected and his respirator turned off. The heart monitor had been shut off and there was no movement in his chest to indicate breathing.

Joel rushed from the room to search for the doctor. Simon used his radio to contact Brown.

“Brown, Ellison is missing. Ventris has been here. I need you and Megan to search the area. I’ll arrange for back up to help us. They should be here shortly.” He waited for the reply then replace the radio on his belt just as the doctor and a team of nurses entered the room. There was more chaos that ensued as they raced to save the young anthropologist’s life. Simon found himself outside the room looking through the window. Joel took up his place next to him.

Simon wasn’t sure how long he stood there watching and waiting. Back up had arrived and he’d allowed Taggart to take over instructing them in their search. There was no reason why he should think it was Ventris who’d taken Jim and left Sandburg to slowly suffocate without the life-giving air being able to get past his swollen throat muscles.

He had no idea how long it was before finally the doctor emerged from the room. He shook his head slightly.

“Captain, I have no idea how he managed it but your man is going to be fine. He’s actually breathing on his own. I don’t entirely understand it but there you have it. I have removed the respirator, but he is still sedated and I expect him to stay that way for a while know.

“What I would like to know is when Detective Ellison woke up and why he would have done this to his friend?”

“Jim didn’t do this, Doctor. This was done by someone out for revenge on Sandburg for some perceived injustice. A man who was put in prison for murder but he thinks it was because of Sandburg that he was caught.”

“But I thought… That doesn’t make any sense.”

“What doesn’t, Doctor?”

“Your two men who were here earlier. I ran into them as they were leaving and they said you had called to let them know that this man had been caught. That was why they were leaving.”

“Son of a… Thanks, Doctor. That explains why they weren’t at their post.

Simon turned away without another word and hurried off, needing to find and speak with Joel. He found the big man in the lobby, speaking with several uniformed officers.

“Joel?” He asked as he approached. The former bomb squad captain turned.

“Simon, so far nothing. I have sent off for the blueprints for the hospital. Apparently there are tunnels running all over the place under these old buildings. No one knows where the entrances are so we need the prints. How’s Blair?”

“Holding his own. They took him off the respirator and he’s breathing on his own. Still not showing any signs of waking.” Why don’t you go up and see him, I’ll wait for the plans then I will meet you up there when they come.”

Joel smile sadly but nodded. “thanks, Simon. I’ll see you in a bit.” He headed slowly for the elevators and made his way up to the fifth floor and the young man who he’d come to call friend.

He hated what was happening to both Jim and Blair but especially to the young grad student. The young man had helped Joel out in so many ways and he certainly didn’t deserve what was happening now. And as if he hadn’t already gone through so much what with Jim hurting him the way he had then there was the entire time he was missing and the things he’d had to endure then and now this.

To think that one man was responsible for nearly destroying two lives and if they didn’t find Ventris soon, he could still succeed in his attempts. Joel frowned to himself with that thought. He would be damned if he would allow that to happen. If there was anyway he could stop Ventris he would. He thought of Blair as a son, the son he’d never had but had always wanted. He was smart, funny and a joy to be around. His zest for life had enlightened the lives of all those in Major Crimes. Especially one very nasty former covert ops soldier turned detective.

Joel had always respected Jim for his excellent detective work but since he had started working with Blair, he’d found a good friend in Jim Ellison. A man he could respect and a man who he could trust to watch his back. He would do whatever it took to keep them safe.

The elevator pinged its arrival on the fifth floor and Joel stepped out. He turned left towards the room where Blair rested, waited for Jim to return.

He rounded the final corner. And stopped cold.

Entering the room, dressed in green scrubs, was Brad Ventris. The demon spawn himself. Joel grinned wickedly as he pulled his gun. He hadn’t been spotted yet.

He opened the connection on his radio before yelling, “Cascade PD. Freeze Ventris. You’re under arrest.”

Ventris stopped, spinning to face the threat. His hand came up, weapon cocked and ready to fire. Joel had no choice. He fired first, one round straight into the chest. The escaped con flew backwards with the impact, his hand reflexively firing but the bullet imbedded itself in the wall behind Taggart’s head, even as the elevator doors opened and Simon with a couple of uniforms appeared at a run.

“Taggart, what happened?”

“Ventris. I caught him going into Blair’s room. I had no choice, Simon. He had a weapon and was bring it up to bear. I had to shoot.” Joel was devastated. He was well aware that only Ventris knew where Jim was and if he’d taken the man into the catacombs under the hospital and left him there then it would be almost impossible to find him.

“God Simon, what are we going to do?”

Simon was silent as he too recognized the difficulties they faced in finding Jim. Finally he heaved a sigh. “Let’s find those blueprints. Maybe they’ll give us some idea where to find Jim.”

“Sure. I am just going to check on Blair. I didn’t get a chance… before.” Joel watched as the group of doctors and nurses fought to save Ventris but Joel was certain it was too late. He had been one of the top marksmen in his class and he kept his skills up. He had shot to kill, even knowing what it would cost in the long run.

He stepped through into the semi-dark room. In the faint light he could see Blair, resting comfortably on the far bed. Half the tubes and monitors had been disconnected and he looked more like he was going to make it than he had before Jim’s disappearance.

He moved slowly towards the bed. A shaking hand reached out and moved some of the soft hair out of the injured man’s face.

“Hey Blair. It’s Joel. I just wanted you to know that we’ll find Jim. I promise. You just rest and get better. That is all I ask. All any of us ask.” Joel brushed the tips of his fingers over the slightly heated forehead once more before turning to leave the room.

~*~*~*~

It was the silence. It was too quiet.

No beeping monitors. No gently beating hearts. It was too quiet.

A soft groan filled his ears and he swallowed hard.

His head hurt, badly. Like he’d been on a bender that he was still suffering from and he didn’t like it.

Something was missing.

The Guide. His Guide.

He rose slowly into a sitting position. His hand coming up to rest on his head as if it might possibly hold together the shattered pieces. The intense throbbing grew. He needed his Guide. He needed the solace that came from his presence. Forcing himself into motion, Jim gained his feet and shuffled down the dark corridor.

He didn’t know where he was only that it was imperative that he find his Guide and soon. With that one and only thought in mind, he headed off, determined to find his way out of the dark and back… into the light.

~*~*~*~

“Simon, I found it.” Joel called as the panel swung open revealing a steep set of stairs heading down into the pitch blackness. Simon stepped forward and flashed his light down. It barely made dent in the dark at the bottom. He motioned a number of uniforms forward, each carrying their own flashlight. One by one they descended down into the tunnels beneath Cascade General.

They searched the corridors for hours. Twenty men in all but not one could find any sign of Jim. Someone had managed to find working electricity and the empty hallways were flooded with light. It still didn’t help.

The blueprints were marked with each hall and room that was checked so there was no duplication. Three hours into the search they found a gurney, rumpled sheets but no body.

“Damn it.” Simon swore as he picked the pale blue blanket off the floor. “Where did he go?”

“Captain,” a uniform called, handing the radio over. Simon listened as the officer on the other end informed him he was needed upstairs. He handed the radio back to the officer.

“Keep searching.” He barked. “Let me know when you find something.”

“You got it, Captain Banks.” The man headed of to continue the search and Simon made his way back upstairs to the nurses station. Dr. Pegosi waited for him.

“Captain Banks, I thought you would like an update of your suspect. Mr. Ventris died. We tried to save him but your office was too good a shot. He died a few minutes ago.”

“Fine. Thank you Doc. Any news on Sandburg?”

“I was just going to check. Would you like to join me?”

Simon gaped unsure of why the doctor was offering to let him come. It was unusual procedure at best but he didn’t argue, he merely nodded then followed.

Pegosi pushed the door open and entered. He stopped so suddenly just inside the door that Simon almost ran him down. There before them, curled around the sleeping figure of Blair Sandburg was an equally sleeping James Ellison. One arm was thrown over Blair in a protective gesture. Jim’s face hidden in the depths of the brown curls framing the bruised face of his Guide.

“Well, shoot.” Simon grinned at the sight. Definitely blackmail material.

“Highly irregular,” the doctor was muttering but he continued to check monitors then his patients without interrupting the obviously much needed rest of either man.

“I guess Ellison has come out of his zone.” Simon muttered aloud.

“Whatever it is, I’d say he was out of it. It would appear that his presence has done much for Mr. Sandburg also. His vitals are much improved in the last four hours. I’ll let them stay like this for a while.”

“You are very unusual Doctor. Most would have kicked them apart.”

“Well, I believe in letting nature take its course when it can. If Detective Ellison’s presence is helping Mr. Sandburg’s recovery, who am I to argue with it. If you would like to stay, I will have a chair brought it.”

“Thank you, please.” Simon followed the doctor back into the main hall where he immediately contacted Taggart who was still with the search crew.

“Joel. Call off the search. Jim found his own way back here.”

“He’s back there?” There was a great deal of hope in that simple question. “Does that mean he’s awake?”

“So it would appear. He’s sleeping at the moment but he is out of the coma.” Simon could almost hear the grin in Taggart's voice as he whooped with pleasure. Simon disconnected the radio, turning it off to reenter Jim and Blair’s room. A chair was now beside the bed. Other than that, nothing had changed.

That was fine with him because for the first time in months, since this whole thing started, Simon was sure that everything would work out just fine.

~*~*~*~

He was warm. He could feel a source of heat on his left side and it made him feel secure. Safe in a way he’d not experienced in far too long.

Without really waking he snuggled closer to that source of warmth.

An arm snaked out and wrapped around his torso, pulling him closer and he let out a sigh.

He allowed himself to sink further back into sleep, feeling safe and hearing the sound of a large cat’s rumble of contentment in his ear.

His eyes flickered open and he turned to look at the source of the noise. Lying next to him was a large black jaguar, its nose level with his ear, now his eye. Just beyond the big cat’s golden eyes was a lush green backdrop. Trees and shrubs he knew were indigenous to South America.

He was back in the jungle.

For the life of him he couldn’t remember how he’d gotten here. The last thing he remembered… was Jim. Oh God, Jim! The panic flared as he remembered the vicious and brutal attack at the university. Why’d he have to remember that., Of all the things to remember, why that one memory. The one thing he never wanted to be remind of for as long as he lived.

“Chief?” A voice came from behind him. He rollover in one smooth movement and rose to his feet, backing away from the feared sound of his name.

“J… Jim?” He stammered, backing away further.

Jim’s face fell as the sadness crept into his ice blue eyes, eyes that seemed to fill with water even as Blair watched.

“God, Blair. What have I done?” his voice dropped to almost a whisper. “I killed your trust, didn’t I? Some Blessed Protector I turned out to be. Almost killed you myself and I did kill a part of you. I killed that part that meant so much to me.”

Jim collapsed to his knees, his hands covering his face as giant, silent sobs wracked his body.

Blair watched helplessly. A part of him wanted to turn tail and run, to prevent himself from being hurt again. Yet part of him, Jim’s Guide, wanted to… no needed to try and repair the breach between them. It was this part that proved to be stronger and he fell to his knees beside his Sentinel. His hands were shaking even as he reached out to touch the bigger man on the shoulder.

This man, taller and larger that Blair suddenly seemed to be so small, so vulnerable. His life was and had always been so precious to Blair. Sure at the beginning he’d only wanted to study the man but something changed along the way. Jim Ellison had become far more than a research subject, he’d become the brother he’d never had but always wanted. Sure families fought but they were always there for each other and this time would be no exception.

Blair stroked his hand up and down Jim’s arms, feeling every minute tremor that ran the length of the muscle. He didn’t know what to say or even how to say it so he merely knelt there, waiting for Jim to finish.

When Jim’s tears dwindled into sniffles, he collapsed into the waiting arms of his best friend and Guide. His hands clasped tightly into Blair’s shirt, needed to feel the connection that he’d forcibly destroyed. Wanting desperately to fix what he’d broken.

“Enquiri, Shaman. Why are you here?” A voice asked from above them. Turning as one unit, the two men saw the Spirit Warrior in full war paint. In his right hand he held a spear adorned with feathers and leather strips. His left hand rested on the head of the black panther. The wolf lay at his feet.

His face was that of Incacha’s. Jim stood quickly and backed away as if afraid of the recrimination he would find in his former Shaman’s eyes. Blair’s hand on his arm stopped him.

“Incacha. How were we brought here?” Blair asked. He was confused. “Why are we here?”

“That is my question to you, Shaman. You have brought Enquiri here for a purpose but your time is not yet. There is still much for you to learn. Why then are you here?”

Blair stared at the face of the man who’d pass him the way of the Shaman. He wasn’t sure quite how to respond and he was still reeling over the confrontation with Jim. He’d never seen the older man break down so completely. Sure, he’d cried when Danny died but never anything this intense. His concern for his friend overrode any fear he might have held. He needed to find a way to repair the damage done to their relationship.

Could he find it in his heart to forgive Jim? Could he forget that his best friend had tried to kill him?

Looking back he realized that there must be a logically reason for Jim to go off like that. Burton had written about the deep bond that grew between Sentinel and Shaman. Further research after Incacha’s death had shown him that. So some outside source must had caused the breach. But whether it was an outside source or not was irrelevant. Jim Ellison had been his best friend for nearly four years and that should count for something.

He turned to face the morose man.

“Jim, I need to know something?” Blair told him. “I need to know what happened between us. I need to know this will never happen again. Can you promise me that?”

Jim gaped at the younger man. He didn’t know how to respond to Blair’s request. He’d attacked the student in his own territory. He didn’t know why or what had caused it, how could he promise never to do it again. Before he could respond, Incacha spoke up.

“The breach between you is wide but not yet irreparable, young Shaman. The breach was not caused by you but the need to develop your bond. Your spirits have merged but the ceremony must be completed. You must complete the bond, then no one will be able to control you. Individually you are weak but together you will be strong enough to ward off all evil. Are you ready to complete the bond?”

The question took both men by surprise. Their eyes met and a connection, physical in its intensity, was formed. Without thought, they moved a step forward, their hands coming up to rest against the others, palm to palm. Light, white and pure, lit the area around their joined hands.

Jim remembered this light, it was the same light he’d seen when he’d brought Blair back to life at the fountain. It filled him with joy. His heart pounded with the hugeness of his feelings. He’d never such love as that directed at him from the man whose eyes locked tightly with his own. He felt along the connection that seemed to grow between himself and his Guide.

He projected his love for this man back along the connection, received the same brotherly affection in return. It was strong, overwhelming almost but he stood in its path and let the warmth of it flow over and through his body and soul. As he watched, the light entered Blair and fill him also until his eyes seemed to glow with the pureness.

The white heat grew and enveloped both men drawing them closer together, knitting their souls for all eternity. Hotter, stronger, and more powerful it grew until in a flash of brilliance it was gone and they knew no more.

Chapter 8 – Epilogue

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