Judgements

by K Ryn

  Guess a Sentinel's never really on vacation.

  He pulled his attention back, focusing inside of the house and monitored his sleeping partner for a few moments. Blair was still dealing with his inner demons, but the attacks of doubt and grief were becoming less frequent. There was a light in his eyes again, one that the Sentinel had feared might be gone forever. Physically, he was healing quickly. The damage to his hearing had, thankfully, been only temporary, and although his strength was easily exhausted, there were no other aftereffects of the infection and fever that had nearly overpowered the slim body. The bullet wound and bruises would take more recovery time, but the danger of losing him was past. A point Blair himself had emphasized only the night before, reminding Jim that he had promised that today he'd be allowed up and around for more than just a quick walk around the house to stretch his muscles.

  The Sentinel sighed and shook his head in bemused admiration for the energy of youth. Keeping Blair in bed for three days had tried everyone's patience. Fortunately, the younger man's awe and respect for Nate's grandfather had kept the anthropologist in line, especially when Joseph had threatened to withhold the stories that he'd promised. Once Jim had explained about the Warrior myth, Blair had pestered the Medicine Man for every detail. He'd whined about the loss of his computer and notebooks until Nate had produced a battered recorder and an abundant stack of tapes.

  Jim stretched, rolling stiff shoulder muscles. The lack of activity was starting to get to him as well and he welcomed the day's trip down to the dig site. He'd been subjected to one of Joseph's thorough exams the previous afternoon and passed with flying colors. His vision was back to Sentinel-normal, even though the lumps on his head were still slightly tender.

  A group of small children raced by, tossing greetings at him. The Sentinel smiled and waved in return. He was still uncomfortable with the deference accorded him by the older members of the community, and wondered how much Joseph had said about him and his abilities. Not that he felt any fear about these people knowing who, or what he was -- it was disconcerting to know that he was being compared to a legend.

  A gust of wind brought with it the smell of dust and engine oil. Glancing toward the main entrance, Jim sat back and waited. Within a few minutes, Dave Heller's cruiser pulled up in front of the house. The older man waved in greeting and popped the trunk of the car.

  "Got some things that I thought you might want," Heller explained, climbing out of the squad and making his way to the rear of the vehicle.

  Jim's curiosity was satisfied when he recognized Blair's backpack and his own bag among the things that the Sheriff brought to the porch.

  "Sandburg will be glad to have this back," Jim murmured, flipping open the pack and checking the contents quickly. "He's been dying without his computer."

  Heller grinned and settled himself on the chair next to Jim's. "How's he feeling?"

  "Based on the moaning and groaning he's doing over having to stay put in bed, I'd say he's fine," Jim answered with a laugh. His expression turned suddenly serious and he extended his hand toward the older man. "I wanted to thank you. Your quick actions saved his life. I owe you."

  "Seems to me, you were the one doing all the work," Dave answered, taking the offered hand and giving it a firm shake. "Just put in a good word for me with your captain. And you don't owe me. If anything, I'm beholding to you." At Jim's confused expression, the older man shook his head, his face grim, but at the same time, strangely at peace.

  "It appears that Bob Holland's involvement was limited to what happened with you and your partner. He and I were never that tight, but he was a good man once, and in the end he remembered that. Ben's another story. His two buddies were eager to talk once we got them rolling. We've managed to find the remains of several bodies. I'm still waiting for confirmations, but it looks like we're going to be able to close most of the missing person cases that have been on the books."

  "I'm sure that will be of some comfort to the families," Jim offered quietly. The loss of their loved ones would never be erased, but the uncertainty of 'not knowing' would be over.

  "It is," Dave answered, shifting his gaze to study to quiet desert landscape. "From what we've been able to piece together, we're pretty sure that it was Ben that my partner was chasing when he died. The explanation doesn't alter the grief that we felt then or change how much we miss him, but it does make it easier to move on."

  Jim nodded, remaining silent. He'd heard the story of Heller's loss. He was more than grateful that he wasn't grieving over the death of his own partner. Once was more than enough for any man.

  Heller stood abruptly and gestured to the items that he'd brought. "Tell your partner I said 'hello' and that I'm sorry I couldn't get these out sooner."

  "I appreciate your bringing them. And for filling me in," Jim rose to his feet and followed the Sheriff down to the squad.

  "Give me a call when you're ready to head back," Dave offered. "I'll send a car out for you."

  "Thanks. We're going to be here a little longer than we originally planned," Jim answered. "If you run into Bowden, would you tell him that Blair would like to see him?"

  "I'll stop at his place on the way back. Bowden came into town a couple days ago. He was asking about Blair, and about you, too. Seems your partner's brought about a real change in that young man."

  Jim smiled, remembering Joseph's words.

  "That's what he does, Sheriff. That's who he is."

  END

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