Work Text:
Reach Out And Touch
by Mysti
He closed his eyes and leaned back on the couch, letting himself slide into Blair's mind. A wave of love and a warm laugh welcomed him.
//Decided to check up on me, did you?// Blair asked.
//Missed you,// Jim admitted. //I had a lousy day today, and you weren't there to make it better.//
//Mine wasn't much better -- four of the new Guides Recognized their Sentinels at the Meeting today, as soon as we brought the potentials together. It was chaos! The Sentinels grabbed their Guides, trying to cover them and hide them from everyone; you know, that protector-overdrive hitting them out of the blue. And the Guides were trying to avoid being smothered to death by their well-meaning new partners. And everyone else was just trying to get out the way.// Blair laughed again. //It took pulling each pair off to separate rooms to stop them ruffling their feathers and making 'look at my Guide and I'll kill you' growls.//
//Four pairs?// Jim repeated. //That's a record for instant Recognition, isn't it?//
//Yeah, it was a first. And we'll probably get the usual four or five Recognitions from the rest of them once they've had a chance to mingle a bit. Right now, everyone's just a bit ansty at letting anyone from the other group come near, so I need to do a bit of damage control. It's looking like a junior high school dance with all the girls on one side and all the boys on the other, only this is Guides and Sentinels.// Blair sighed. //We're we ever this bad?//
//Well, we were the only pair to instantly Recognize each other at our Meeting,// Jim laughed, //but, yeah, we were as bad. I vaguely remember trying to 'smother you to death' to stop everyone from daring to lay eyes on you.//
//I was *your* Guide, after all,// Blair snickered.
//Damn straight,// Jim agreed with a firm nod. //And it worked, too, until you bit me.//
//I had to *breathe.*//
//Breathing's highly overrated,// Jim dismissed with a wave.
Blair grinned. //Yeah, but I'm used to it, having been doing it so long. Anyway, you didn't let a little bite--//
//Little!//
//--stop you,// Blair continued without pausing. //You just pushed me into a corner and *sat* on me.//
Jim snorted, trying to hide his laughter, knowing his lover could feel it in his mind. //I'd never been through Recognition before--//
//Like I had!//
//--and I had to protect you from...from....// He hesitated, trying to recall exactly *what* he'd been trying to protect Blair from.
//From...?// Blair prompted in a light voice.
//Oh, I don't know, Sandburg,// Jim growled. //From the air, probably. It's an imperative you can't help: protect the Guide.//
Blair smiled sappily, and Jim felt a warm wave of love envelope him again. //And you've never stopped, babe.//
//Well...I....// Jim stopped again, embarrassed. He cleared his throat and changed the subject. //Are you going to be waiting for me at the airport when I get in tonight?//
//As if I'd be anywhere else when I haven't seen you in six days,// Blair scoffed. //Nine-fourteen, right?//
//Yeah, flight 6859.//
//I'll be there.//
There was a moment of silence as the two men basked in the quiet, loving connection flowing between them. Finally, Jim sighed quietly.
//Gotta go, Chief. I can hear Albertson honking the horn.//
//How's he working out for you as a temp Guide?//
Jim sent a wave of scorn. //He's no match for you, I can tell you that. Damn Simon for insisting you handle the Meeting.//
//I'm the only one who can get next to a newly Recognized pair without getting killed,// Blair said softly, in the tone of having explained this fact repeatedly to someone who didn't want to absorb it. //Somehow, I don't set off the 'must kill you now' reaction most new--//
//I know, I know,// Jim sighed. //I still miss you,// he said quietly.
//Me, too, babe,// Blair whispered. Then his mind voice got decidedly bright and breezy. //Now, you go see what Albertson's up to, and do your best to work with the man until you can get back home tonight. It's only a few hours now. Not long.//
//Right,// Jim agreed not-quite-sullenly. //Not long. See you soon, Chief.//
//*Very* soon,// Blair agreed. //Love you.//
//Back atcha.// Jim opened his eyes and sat up. He ran a hand over his face and back into his hair. Only a few hours before he could go home to his Guide and they could welcome each other home again.
Albertson honked the horn again, and Jim growled. It wouldn't be soon enough.
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