Who Shall Guard the Guardian Themselves

by K Ryn

  Finally, the chatter of gunfire ceased and the stillness of the forest wrapped itself around them in a blanket of peaceful silence. Jim eased his hold enough for Blair to raise his head. Fingers latched in a white-knuckled hold on the detective's shirt and deep, ocean blue eyes begged the question a frightened mind couldn't form.

  A ghostly, triumphant scream rose from the depths of the ravine and the Sentinel drew in a deep breath, knowing that the nightmare was finally over. Abruptly aware of Simon's presence at his back -- standing sentry over them until they were ready to move -- the Sentinel nodded, smiling as the fear left his young Guide's eyes.

  Knee wrapped in a protective brace, Blair leaned wearily into the support of the tree at his back. He stared at the pacing figure of his partner and shook his head. Jim was still in full 'Blessed Protector' mode with a healthy dose of wary Sentinel thrown in for good measure. He'd nearly bitten the head off of the Ranger medic that had attended to Blair's injuries, ushering the man away as soon as he had finished. He'd snapped in anger at the FBI's demands for an immediate debriefing and Blair knew that it was only Simon and Joel's intercession which had kept things from getting out of hand.

  "You're wearing me out, man," he muttered, Sentinel-soft. "Not to mention the damage you're inflicting on the poor ground."

  The Sentinel paused, his gaze swinging his Guide for a moment before returning to monitor the activity in the camp.

  "Simon's got it under control, Jim," Blair said gently. "It's finished. Give it a rest."

  With a sigh, Ellison crouched down next to the younger man, eyeing him uncertainly.

  "Anders is finished. He won't bother us again."

  Blair nodded. Finished was a relative term. He could see by the look in the Sentinel's eyes that there was something the older man wasn't telling him, but this wasn't the time or place to pursue it. He'd have the full story from his partner soon enough. As far as the others were concerned, it was over, although they had their own questions.

  The Rangers had been puzzled when they'd dragged Anders' body from the ravine. What was left of it, that is. The corpse had been savagely mauled. Jim had heard one of the men speculating that a wild animal -- possibly a large cat -- had gotten to the body before they had. The fact that the ferocious hunter had left no tracks was a curiosity to everyone except the Sentinel and his grateful Guide.

  "But what about the rest?" Jim prodded. "What about --"

  "Incacha? That's nearly finished, too."

  The quiet confidence in Blair's voice surprised Jim. He studied the younger man closely. Looking past the bruises and the strain of exhaustion, he found a familiar sparkle in his friend's eyes. And something more.

  The eyes which had always revealed the totality of the younger man's soul were different. The calm depths seemed to hold something older -- almost ancient. But the change wasn't disturbing. If anything, the gaze that met his was even gentler than before.

  "'Four paths shape the way of the Shaman,'" Blair murmured softly. "Three have been traveled. One remains -- the journey of a lifetime. The ritual is nearly complete."

  The Sentinel reached out and grasped his Guide's shoulder, squeezing it gently, anxious eyes reflecting his concern. With a blazing smile, the younger man patted his hand in reassurance.

  "You were right, Jim. All that was required was trust. I am who I was meant to be. Your Guide. And your Shaman."

  The Sentinel nodded. He too saw that there was more his Guide wasn't saying. Yet. Easing Blair to his feet, he guided the younger man to the waiting helicopter. As the chopper lifted and headed toward the still rising sun, the Sentinel watched his Guide slip off into sleep, then settled back himself, lulled by a familiar, invisible purring at his feet.

  Seeing the detective relax, Simon leaned back in his seat, studying the two partners through steepled fingers.

  The Watcher was no longer, but the Guardians remained vigilant.

  END

  Comments? Please e-mail me at kdkm@aol.com. Thanks!