Change in Plans

It was the right thing to do, Blair knew.  If his Masters thesis could
lead Brackett to Jim, the Doctorate would bring all sorts of problems out
of the woodwork.  Blair scheduled a meeting with the chairman of the
Anthropology department, but he had to talk to Jim first.  He had to make
Jim understand that he wasn't abandoning their agreement.  He would
continue to help the detective gain control of his sense,  there just
wouldn't be any dissertation on Sentinels.

The bullpen was alive with activity when Blair arrived to have lunch with
Jim before spending the afternoon working on Jim's latest case.

Jim looked up and tracked Blair to his desk.  He frowned.  Something was
bothering the kid.

"Hi, Jim.  Ready for lunch?"

"Sure, Chief.  How about that deli you keep raving about on 6th?  It's
right across from the park.  We can eat outdoors."

Blair practically bounced with nervous energy as they walked out of the station together.

Jim wasn't able to get Blair to talk about whatever was bothering him
until after they got their sandwiches and drinks.  They took them to a
quiet park bench.

"So what's up, Chief?"

"I wanted to talk to you about my diss."

"You need me to do more tests?"

Blair wouldn't meet Jim's eyes.

"I can't do the diss,  Jim.  It's too dangerous."

Jim felt like his heart was tearing in two.   Blair couldn't be leaving
him so soon.

"No!  You promised to help me control this."

Blair reached out to grab Jim's hands.  The Sentinel moved closer to him.
The food was forgotten.

"Jim.  I'm not going to stop helping you.  I'm only changing my thesis
topic.  I thought I'd really write the closed society paper that we tell
everyone about.  Dr. Oldham and my committee weren't thrilled with the
Sentinel topic in the first place.  They thought that I'd exhausted the
topic with my Masters.   The police as tribal guardians is a much safer
topic, don't you think?  And it lets me stay close to you."

"Can you change your topic?"

"I have an appointment with Sidney tomorrow."

"What about all the work you've done on Sentinels?"

"I'll keep writing everything I learn about you in journals to help us
work together.  Maybe someday when I've earned my doctorate and have some
credibility in the field, I can publish short papers on heightened senses.
Perhaps if there are more people like you I can help them understand what
they are."

"I was afraid that you would leave me."

"Brackett said that I was your Guide."  Blair still held Jim's hands.

"My Guide."  Jim looked into Blair's eyes.  The words were a vow.

"My Sentinel," Blair returned the pledge.  He leaned forward and they
shared their first kiss.

July 12, 2001