An Ending

by Susan

Notes: This is obviously an AU in which President Buchanan and his Christian Coalition have promised the American people to bring America back to her glory days: get rid anything that taints and infests her with its immorality. That includes getting rid of gays in public service, positions as teachers and role models to the "future leaders of the free world." (Kids, remember all that crap we learned in school.) Remember: these folk think kids aren't born gay, they're taught or recruited.

Summary: Jim has been forced to turn in his badge and gun to C.S. Green. They've been under house arrest, their rights as citizens suspended. Blair has been fired from Rainier. Disgusted by their "perverted" display of affection, Green hits Blair, Jim retaliates, and Jim still has not spoken a word. Here 'tis:

An Ending

by Susan

"By order of President Buchanan,..."

An armed guard appeared and snapped Blair's left wrist to Jim's right. Personally inspecting its security, Green pointed his index finger at the guard who opened the door of Simon's office.

"It's time to join the other queers," sneered Green. "You'll love the scenic hideaway, your new home. A place where you'll do honest work for a change, and contribute to American society. A place where you will learn to enjoy serving God."

Coals of black fire smoldered in Simon's eyes as he rounded his desk to clap Jim's shoulder. "Do you want me to go...Jim...I'll go with you."

For the first time since their public humiliation, Jim met Simon's eyes. He turned, jerked his hand up along with Blair's, in a stiff-armed respectful salute to his Captain.

Simon knew the emotions grinding and churning Jim's insides: fear, anger, shame, despair. Feeling tears prick his eyes, he acknowledged Jim's salute with his own.

He took Jim's cold hand in his, squeezing, then shaking it. Looking down at Sandburg Simon noticed the dark blue eyes vacantly staring at the bullpen outside the door. Oh, kid. He needs a personal...no deserves...words from me. He is Jim's lover, his Guide, my friend, too.

"Sandburg," he began, then changed it to, "Blair." But Blair was deaf to him, his attention still fixed on the room beyond.

Simon brought two fingers and his thumb to Blair's unshaven jaw, and gently turned Blair's bruised face up toward his own.

"Blair," he said, wondering if Blair would even remember these words. "Thank you. Thank you for sticking by Jim's side. For being his partner, for lov...loving him. Sand...Blair...I want to apologize to you for all those times I--," and Simon's voice grew hoarse, choking off when Jim finally, finally spoke above a whisper to someone other than Blair. (And had taken a beating for his refusal to speak, too.)

Jim sweetly rubbed his nose across Blair's cheek. "He knows, Simon. Blair knows how you feel. That you respect and love him."

"Enough!" C.S. Green yelled, getting in Jim's face. "Prisoner Ellison, as per the Emergency Federal Family Protection Act, Section II, Subsection 4A which pertains to homosexual persons in federal, state, or municipal employment, you are hereby stripped of all citizens' rights and priveleges, and of course, disfranchised."

Green smiled, as he added, "If you refer to yourself as Captain again from your mistaken time spent in the army, or as a Detective Lieutenant, you will suffer detention or punishment as ordered by the camp commandant."

Green laughed, a horrible sound. A proud Christian Soldier, doing the Lord's work, earning his rewards in heaven for doing diabolical earthly deeds.

He turned his attentions on Blair. "Homosexual Prisoner Sandburg. Sodomite, and corruptor of America family values, for setting an immoral example to the youth of this city, for possibly recruiting innocent God-fearing children into the sodomy lifestyle, you are hereby stripped of all citizens' rights and priveleges...disfranchised. If you again refer to yourself as Teacher you will suffer detention or punishment by the camp commandant."

Turning back to Jim, Green snarled, "You did not acknowledge me, Ellison!" Green stamped his foot, like a naughty child denied a toy. Jim kept his eyes on the lank, stringy curls that hid the purpling bruises on his lover's cheekbone.

The end, for now.