His Master's Voice 19

By CatMoran

Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. I don't own the canon characters or concept; I do own this story.

Summary: We continue with the saga of a vampire and his sentinel.

Warning: Not beta'd.

His Master's Voice 19
By CatMoran
*****

Early the next morning Jim listened with dread as Blair's heart slowed, then stopped. He lay tense and immobile, the cooling body held close, too afraid to try rousing Blair. With his eyes shut and face buried against Blair's neck, he could feel the heat of the first line of sunlight as it approached the bed. Soon enough the alarm would ring, and it would be time to find out if Blair still inhabited the body beneath him.

"Hey, Jim? You awake?"

Jim sighed with relief at Blair's quiet whisper.

"Yeah, Chief."

Blair rolled out from under him and laughed. "Sorry, man. I've got to get up. I'm *famished*." Blair picked up his sunglasses and bounded down the stairs.

Jim followed. By the time they reached the kitchen, his worry had transformed to anger. "Blair, aren't you the least bit concerned about what happened last night?"

Blair's back tightened almost imperceptibly, as he raided the refrigerator. The tone of Jim's voice didn't bother him, but the question did. With effort he kept his voice level. "I thought you wanted
me to."

Jim shook his head at Blair's incongruous reply. "Blair, what... are you telling me you can make your heart beat anytime you want?"

Blair pulled out of the refrigerator and turned to face Jim, with a thoroughly perplexed look on his face. "My heartbeat? Jim, *what* are you talking about?"

"What are *you* talking about?"

"*I'm* talking about the massage I gave you. Including the finale." With a roguish grin, Blair ghosted a hand across his own groin then unknowingly licked his lips.

Jim moved forward, drawn by the teasing display. His voice softened. "Oh, I did enjoy that. I'm talking about later. Don't you remember waking up and telling me that you couldn't see?"

"Aw, man... I thought that was a dream. Are you telling me that really happened?" Blair's voice remained level, but panic was tickling at the edges. "And what does that have to do with my heart?"

"Your heart beat all night. At least, from the time I woke until early this morning. You didn't know that?"

Blair shook his head. "Who's aware of their own heartbeat? Although I suppose I should notice something as different as it suddenly starting again. And stopping." He turned back to the fridge and resumed pulling out a week's worth of produce. When he had both arms laden with bags and
bowls, he swung the refrigerator door shut with an elbow and walked to the table. He sank his fangs into a peach with a sigh of delight.

Jim leaned against the kitchen island, astonished at Blair's lack of interest. "Jesus, Blair. Aren't you at all concerned? Or at least curious?"

Blair barely slowed his eating. "Of course I'm curious, Jim. And a little worried. But I'm also *hungry*. Get yourself some breakfast, we'll figure this out *after* we eat."

The End
(c) CatMoran 2000