Jim was far more than pissed, but only slightly less than enraged, and it was a very, very fine distinction that few could detect. Most of the people he stalked towards as he strode through the hall took one look at him and stepped aside as fast as possible, some even stumbling over themselves to get out of the way. Of the few people who could accurately read Jim’s expression, one was in the hospital with a concussion and other injuries, and the other was being held against his will by supposedly well-meaning people.

It was only the ‘well-meaning’ part that kept him from going into a full-blown rage.

He’d gotten a call from Rhonda that Simon and Blair had been in an accident and almost zoned on the worry that had immediately flashed through him. Pulling back by the skin of his teeth, he’d demanded to know about Blair first and been assured that he was fine, just shaken up and bruised a little. Simon, on the other hand, had a broken leg and concussion, along with cuts and bruises from the glass and impact. The other driver had been at fault, running through a light and hitting them broadside, which was why Simon had gotten all of the injuries.

Then she’d gone on to say that since Simon wasn’t Blair’s Master and, technically, he didn’t have any papers to be out on his own, the Slave Welfare people had taken him from the hospital until Jim could be reached. He’d hung up on her and almost caused his own accident pulling a U-turn in the middle of afternoon traffic.

It had only taken fifteen minutes to get to the municipal building, screeching to a halt at the curb and tossing his official police permit on the dashboard before striding up the many stairs and into the building. Once inside, Jim had taken a few minutes to cast his hearing out to locate Blair. He locked onto a shrill, anxious tone that was so different from the confident, calm one that generally infused his slave’s voice.

“I need to call my Master, please, you have to let me!” Blair pleaded.

An unfamiliar voice replied, “You don’t have to be afraid here, Blair, you don’t have to worry about being hurt. You’re an equal here with us. Whatever he’s done to brainwash you into this, this abnormal behavior, we can help undo it.”

Fury lanced through Jim at the way Blair’s heartbeat spiked and how miserable the young man sounded trying to explain that there hadn’t been any brainwashing. Jim had been on the move since the unknown voice spoke, focused on to the familiar, beloved heartbeat to the exclusion of almost everything else.

Shoving the door open hard, the doorknob banged into the wall. Jim scanned the room and found Blair sitting on a chair, knees up to his chest and his arms wrapped around his legs. When the door cracked into the wall, his head came up and his gaze locked onto Jim.

Jim pointed to the space beside him and Blair instantly scrambled from the chair to dash to the place indicated, kneeling beside him and leaning against Jim’s leg. Glaring at the group of young men and women who were giving him disgusted looks, Jim put his hand on Blair’s head, reassuring both of them with the contact. Tangling his fingers tight into the wild curls, Jim demanded, “Who’s in charge here?”

One of the men stood up and, arms crossed over his chest, answered belligerently, “I am.”

“What’s your name?” Jim questioned, releasing Blair’s head to pull out his notebook.

“Jeff White.”

“Well, Jeff, you’re in deep shit now.”

The kid looked surprised, but held his ground. “I was doing my job and protecting this man from abuse and brainwashing.”

“You overreached your authority and took a slave without permission,” Jim snapped. “Grand theft, right then and there. I see dismissal in your future at the very, very least. Try and run and I’ll make damn sure you face a slaver’s block.”

Pale now, Jeff nonetheless bluffed, “I was within the law to take him because you weren’t there. You can’t do anything to me!”

“Watch me. No one touches what’s mine without regretting it,” Jim hissed.

A tug on his pant leg caused Jim to look down and, at his short nod to speak, Blair asked softly, “Please, Master, can you let him go? He didn’t mean any harm. He, I used to, he was a student of mine, before. He doesn’t understand.”

Staring down into his slave’s begging eyes, hating to have Blair beg for anyone but him, Jim was tempted to remain a hardass. He didn’t want to make Blair unhappy, though, and finally relented. He pinned Jeff with a hard look and said, “Count your lucky stars that I’m in a forgiving mood. I don’t suggest you repeat this with anyone else. And if you even so much as look at my slave again, I’ll cut you to pieces. Move, slave!”

Blair bolted to his feet and hurried out of the room, stopping outside to wait for Jim, in order to walk behind him. Striding forward, Jim didn’t stop again until they reached the truck. He opened the passenger’s door and Blair swiftly climbed inside. Jim swatted him sharply on the ass before he could sit, eliciting a gasp of pain, and then walked around to the driver’s side to take his own seat.

Once sitting, he grabbed Blair and hauled him over and onto his lap. Blair immediately burrowed close, shaking, and Jim wrapped his arms around the slender man. Holding him tight, Jim breathed in the grounding scent of his slave and slowly started to relax. “Are you okay, little one?”

Blair nodded, but didn’t look up.

“What happened to the card, Blair? How did they get you?” Jim questioned.

“I had the card,” Blair answered miserably. “No one at the accident site questioned having me stay with Simon at the hospital. It wasn’t until I got there…I don’t know…maybe someone on the staff recognized my name and was friends with Jeff or whatever. Next thing I know, Welfare is there and I’m being taken from the hospital. Simon tried to intervene, but he could barely see straight.”

Regretting how light he’d let the young man get off, Jim growled possessively and took Blair’s mouth in a hard, devastating kiss. He’d thought that time would ease the way people thought, or at least let them fade from memory, but even months after the debacle of Ranier’s public disavowal, those in the know rained disgust and contempt down on Blair. There was nothing like a perceived betrayal in the scholastic universe to keep people outraged long past the time it was needed.

Blair whimpered in need, hands twisting in Jim’s shirt. Jim gripped him through his dirty pants, squeezing and rubbing the hardening length until it was fully engorged beneath the cotton. Untying the sash at the side, he pulled the fabric aside so that Blair’s cock was free to access. Jim kept up the kisses, sucking and biting on the lips as well as thrusting his tongue into his slave’s mouth.

Stroking Blair’s shaft had the young man arching eagerly into his touch. He drove his lover mercilessly, using everything he’d learned of Blair in the past months to drive him to the edge as fast as possible. Soft, begging groans and choked off noises escaped the kisses, egging Jim on in his devilish pursuit to make Blair come without permission. It had been two days already since he’d been allowed any release, but that was due more to the circumstance of a stakeout than any real desire on Jim’s part to deprive him.

Not that he wouldn’t take advantage of it anyhow.

Blair’s head cracked against the door and he cried out wordlessly when he came, jerking violently in Jim’s arms, humping into the tight fist around his cock. Come splattered over both of them as the slave whimpered and shook in the throes of his pleasure and release. Jim just drank in the sight of his slave in ecstasy and absently licked his hand once it was evident there was no more fluid to be drained of Blair.

Taking Blair’s slack mouth in a slow kiss, Jim devoured it as he always did; with love and desire and mastery.

* * * *

It wasn’t until he was strapped down in bed that Blair truly started to feel safe again. He hadn’t lied to Jim when he’d said he was fine; aside from the bruises and a few scrapes from the accident, he was physically fine. Jeff and his crew, for lack of a better thing to call them, hadn’t hurt him. They’d made him feel like shit, but hadn’t laid a hand on him, except to bring him to that room.

He should’ve known that they hadn’t had legal recourse to take him. He should’ve called out to someone, anyone, for help, but he’d been too unsure of himself and what he could do. He knew the laws, intellectually, but being on the other side of things...he’d never felt so helpless in his life. It had scared the piss out of him and he was only just now starting to get his wind back, so to speak.

When Jim had stormed through the door, Blair had been about to completely lose it in a panic attack. And now Jim slowly and patiently wound long leather straps around his body, immobilizing him, centering him, reassuring him. So far, Blair’s arms were covered and attached to the metal rail of the bed and his Master was working on his legs now. He was too short to reach the foot of the bed, so when the binding was done, it would be chained firmly in place.

Jim took his time, though, letting Blair feel every inch of his leg from the calf down become encased in leather. By the time it was done, Blair’s breathing had completely evened out and he drifted comfortably on the edge of dozing.

“You look so perfect,” Jim said when he stood to take a look at his work. “I think I’m going to add some more piercings to you this week. A belly ring and your other nipple, maybe your ears as well.”

Blair smiled and nodded dreamily. He wanted Jim to feel pleasure on looking at him and more piercings were a bonus, in his opinion. “Yes, Master.”

“How do you feel now, little one?”

“Good, Master, thank you.”

Jim stripped and joined him on the bed, stretching alongside him. “I still have to punish you for coming without permission.”

Blair wriggled as a single finger trailed over his chest, but certainly couldn’t go far, tied up as he was. Jim leaned over and kissed his nipple, then sucked on it lightly. It was only the prelude to a long, long torment of pleasure as his Master played with his body. A thin leather strip was wrapped around the base of his cock, keeping him from coming without permission again. He knew Jim used his senses to see just how far he could push, but that didn’t stop him from crying out and trying to get away from the torturous loving that his body was put through.

It didn’t matter how much he begged and pleaded, Jim ignored all his cries and continued to kiss and stroke and suck his body, massaging it through the leather when he felt like it. Time went away entirely when his Master started sucking on Blair’s cock, deep-throating him without any hope of coming.

Jim moved over him, straddling his thighs and staring down at him with a hungry expression, demanding harshly, “Whose are you?”

“Yours!” Blair moaned, struggling against his bonds when Jim’s hands enclosed over both their cocks.

Grunting as he fucked his cock against Blair’s, Jim seemed to ignore him then, concentrating on something Blair couldn’t see or hear. It wasn’t a zone, exactly, but not like anything Blair had seen before. Jim’s head fell back and he came with a low moan, splattering come all over Blair’s chest and abs. He fell forward, collapsing onto Blair and covering him completely with his full weight.

Blair panted, trying to bring his breathing and pounding heart under control, though it was a futile battle for several long minutes. By that time, Jim had collected himself and slid off Blair to lie beside him again.

Smiling at him, Jim asked, “You want to come, little one?”

“If you want me to,” Blair breathed, filled with love. His body ached to come, but he was utterly reliant on his Master’s command. It all belonged to him.

Pale blue eyes sharpened as they gazed on him and Jim bent forward to kiss him, soft and sweet, then murmured against his mouth, “Come, little one.”

He hadn’t even felt the release of the cockring, so focused on his Master’s kiss was he, but on those electric words, Blair’s body jolted and came. His voice was locked in his throat, heart stopping momentarily as his body went on overload and took its release at long last, bleeding everything out to white.

* * * *

Jim had plenty of time to undo the leather restraints and clean Blair up before the other man finally surfaced from his nap. He was just pulling the blankets up over them when Blair yawned and sighed deeply, nuzzling against Jim’s side. With a smile, Jim gathered him in close and asked, “You back with me?”

“Mmmmno,” Blair answered, grinning. “No chance.”

Chuckling, Jim said, “Good. Since you’re not with me, I won’t tell you how much I love you and if anyone ever hurts you, I’ll make them wish they’d never been born.”

There was a flush of heat and Blair buried his face against Jim’s chest.

Tilting his slave’s face up so that their eyes met, Jim continued, “You are everything to me, Blair, don’t ever forget that. If anyone tries to take you against your will like that again, fight them. Raise holy hell and let me deal with the consequences, because I will. That is now a standing order, understood?”

Blair nodded, eyes dark with emotion, and he wordlessly pushed up to kiss Jim’s heart before holding tight to him.

Pleased with the reaction, Jim wrapped his arms around Blair as well. It would be dawn soon, so he was thinking they would just get up and start the day early. With Simon in the hospital, things at work would be crazy and his disappearance the previous day to find Blair probably hadn’t helped matters. His hand stroked absently over Blair’s back as he thought about things.

Despite the outside pressure coming from various factions, or maybe because of it, they’d only gotten stronger as a couple. And the support from the PD had resolved into that of a shield, with the other officers and detectives pulling rank around Blair when attacked from the outside. It had sparked enough of a gratitude response in the younger man that he’d been muttering to himself now and again about writing a paper, even if it would never get published. Jim hadn’t said anything about that, not wanting to encroach or accidentally discourage any creative ventures.

They hadn’t told anyone about his abilities except for Simon, who’d needed to know one day after Jim had zoned on a reflection of light into his eyes. It hadn’t taken much to convince the Captain not only of their bond and Jim’s abilities, but also the necessity for secrecy about both. The bond was easy enough to mask as that of a slave needing his Master, even a new one, but the knowledge of Sentinels would be a bit much for the world at large. Not to mention, who knew what it would do to their convictions over the last several months.

Light spilled slowly into the bedroom, bringing Jim slowly out of his thoughts and he smiled at Blair’s heavy weight on him. With their lives as they currently were, a family was out of the question, but he’d been wondering if Blair might want to have kids lately. He suspected that his slave would love to have a whole passel of kids, having seen him with the children at various PD family functions. Jim would be happy with just one, but wanted to give Blair whatever he wanted and0 if that meant a half-dozen of kids, that’s what he would get.

Pressing his lips to Blair’s forehead, he gently rolled the other man onto his back so Jim could get through his morning routine and start the coffee needed to kick-start Blair’s mornings. He tugged the blankets up over the smaller man and tread lightly downstairs. He took his time in the shower, still not taking simple things like hot water and time to himself for granted. By the time he was dressed and had the coffee pot going, Blair thumped slowly downstairs a step at a time, eyes half-closed.

Jim grinned at the sight of his sleepy slave shuffling to the bathroom and started cutting up fruit for breakfast. He’d discovered that Blair seldom ate in the mornings unless the food just magically appeared. Not because he was averse to doing it himself, but because he really was not a morning person and could barely function without caffeine. Jim found it really amusing, how a healthnut could be so dependent on caffeine.

Blair walked over to him a few minutes later and leaned on him, face pressed against Jim’s back as he mumbled, “Morning, Master.”

Setting aside the knife, Jim turned and gathered the younger man into his arms, kissing him lightly and replying, “Morning, my beautiful slave. Sleep well?”

“You killed me, so yes, I slept great,” Blair teased, a little more awake. Rubbing his eyes, he asked, “We going to see Simon?”

Jim nodded and kissed the top of his head before going back to chopping up the melon. “Make yourself a cup of coffee.”

Blair kissed his chest before wandering off to do just that.

Grinning to himself, Jim divvied up the fruit between two bowls and set them on the table, sitting at one chair and opening up the paper to read. He automatically kept track of Blair’s movements with his hearing, noting when the other man sat in the chair opposite him and sighed almost silently in contentment after the first sip of coffee. A satisfied smile surfaced on Jim’s face when the slave began eating without complaint, or even comment. They’d had a few ‘discussions’ on first getting together about what was, and wasn’t, acceptable behavior and skipping meals had been a bone of contention for a while. Blair hadn’t sat comfortably for a while, back then, and not due to fun activities.

It didn’t take long for Blair to finish and get up to take his shower, running a hand over Jim’s shoulder on the way by. Jim had just reached the sports section when the phone rang. Looking at the clock in surprise, it was only just after seven, he got up and crossed the living room to get the phone. Picking it up, he answered, “Ellison.”

“Jim? It’s Rafe.”

Frowning at the other man’s worried tone, Jim asked, “What’s wrong? Is Simon okay?”

“Yeah, he’s okay, but…forensics went over the accident scene and is pretty sure that it wasn’t an accident,” Rafe told him. “They just called me with the results and I wanted to let you know right away. We can’t automatically assume that Simon was the target, not with the number of people still pissed at Blair.”

Jim’s jaw tightened and he agreed, “True. What about the people in the other car?”

“That’s what first tipped us into bringing forensics into it. They didn’t stick around. It could have been just a hit and run, but with the Captain of Major Crimes and a prominent ex-abolitionist as the victims…”

Grim, he replied, “It was a good decision, Rafe. Look, Blair and I are on our way in to see Simon in about fifteen more minutes. Meet us there?”

“I’m already here,” Rafe admitted. “I didn’t go home last night.”

“You want us to grab some clothes for you?”

“Thanks, but H brought some by a little while ago.”

“All right. We’ll be there in about an hour.”

“Thanks, Jim.”

“Watch your back, Rafe.”

“I will.”

They hung up without goodbyes and Jim immediately walked to the bathroom and ordered, “Speed it up, Blair. We need to get to the hospital.”

Blair instantly poked his head out from behind the shower curtain. “Is Simon okay?”

Jim nodded as he explained, “Rafe has some evidence that the accident might not be an accident, though, so I want to get there asap to talk to Simon. Well, if he’s not still sedated.”

Hopping out of the shower, Blair said, “I’ll wash my hair later. Give me five, Master, and I’ll be ready to go.”

Taking Blair at his word, Jim left to put his own socks and shoes on. It looked like the day was going to be busier than he’d anticipated.

* * * *

Blair followed close behind Jim as they walked down the hospital corridor. The other man had questioned him the entire ride across town about the accident, trying to find clues from Blair’s memories that might help determine if it had really been an accident. And even though he’d felt more than useless, unable to give much of any information at all, Jim had assured him that he’d been a good witness.

The idea that the accident might have been deliberate frightened him, a fact that Blair couldn’t get around. It angered him, too, but definitely scared him. That someone would cause so much potential damage to themselves or bystanders meant that they would do anything to kill their target, whether it was Blair or Simon.

Rafe sat on the edge of Simon’s bed when they got there, a hand resting casually on the black man’s leg as they talked quietly. Looking over at their entrance, Rafe stood and greeted, “You got here fast. I hope there weren’t any other accidents or broken sound barriers?”

Blair smiled at Jim’s snort of annoyance, but his amusement faded on seeing in just what shape Simon was in. The big man, normally so imposing and vibrant, was a shadow of himself with a leg up in traction and bruises showing even on his dark skin. And he looked naked, somehow, without his glasses. Rushing to the bed, he exclaimed, “Gods, Simon, are you okay?”

“I was hit by a car, Sandburg, how do you think I feel?” Simon retorted querulously.

Rafe admonished quietly, “Simon, he’s just worried.”

Grimacing, Simon apologized, “I didn’t get any coffee this morning. Didn’t mean to take your head off.”

Blair waved it off as he replied, “No problem, man. Can I get you anything? Well, other than coffee, since obviously you can’t have any right now.”

“I’m good, thanks, Blair,” Simon promised.

Putting a hand on Blair’s shoulder and drawing him back to rest against his chest, Jim asked, “What do you remember?”

“I remember Blair going on nonstop about closed societies as we were entering the intersection and then they rammed us,” Simon answered sourly. “No screeching of brakes, no attempts to swerve, nothing.”

Jim’s hand tightened on Blair as he stated, “So it was deliberate.”

“Sure as hell seemed it,” Simon agreed.

Blair spoke up with, “Or they could’ve been unconscious or in distress at the time.”

“So why weren’t they still in the car when the ambulance arrived?” Rafe pointed out.

Shrugging, Blair answered, “I don’t know. I’m just throwing things out there.”

“I think we’ll head into the office and see what’s in the reports,” Jim said. “And take a trip to the accident scene, even if it’s already been released. I might spot something there.”

Simon nodded and waved tiredly at them with his good arm. “Sounds like a plan. Report in when you can. I’ll be ready to chew the walls in about a half-hour.”

“Not that he’ll be getting out of bed any time soon, not even to chew the walls in boredom,” Rafe said pointedly.

Blair hid a grin as Jim guided him out of the hospital room. “Man. Simon is so whipped.”

Snorting, Jim ordered, “Don’t let him hear you say that.”

“You think I’m suicidal?” Blair countered, snickering.

Jim swatted him on the ass as he commented, “I think you forget your place, slave.”

Turning adoring eyes on him, Blair replied, “Never.”

“Good answer,” Jim teased, putting an arm over Blair’s shoulder and drawing him in close as they left the hospital.

It didn’t take long to get to Major Crimes, the morning rush hour mostly done with by the time they got on the road. Blair smiled when Jim took hold of his hand in the car, relishing the connection and hating to break it when they got to the garage. Jim was generally circumspect about their relationship while on duty, though he tended to brush a hand over Blair’s shoulder or down his back on the way by. Really, the other man was reserved in the extreme in comparison to a lot of Masters Blair had observed over the years.

Jim stopped short just outside of the elevator, causing Blair to crash into him. The bigger man’s arm automatically went out to steady him, a frown etching fiercely onto his face.

“Master? What’s wrong?” Blair asked softly.

Instead of answering, Jim just started walking again. Blair scrambled to catch up to the longer stride and did so just inside the bullpen. To his surprise, a man waited at Jim’s desk. He was well dressed, with dark blond hair, glasses, and looked to be in his late fifties or so.

Jim stopped at the desk as the other man stood. “What do you want?”

The man’s eyes flickered briefly over Blair before returning to Jim. After a pause, he replied, “To see you, Jimmy.”

“Bullshit,” Jim stated. “What do you want?”

Blair was completely baffled by the hostility that Jim radiated at the stranger.

“You wouldn’t return my calls.”

“Most people would take a hint.”

“I’m not most people.”

“Unfortunately.”

Even though he was dying to ask who the man was, Blair kept his mouth shut. He could practically feel Jim on the verge of exploding, his voice cold as an arctic wind, the words just about bitten off. One word from him could get him in a lot of trouble with Jim.

“Jimmy…”

“Unless you have official business here, you should leave,” Jim interrupted flatly.

For a moment, it looked like the man would protest further, but he only said, “You know how to get hold of me when you want to. And Jimmy, I’m not getting any younger.”

That had no apparent effect on Jim whatsoever. He stared coldly at the stranger, plainly waiting for the man’s departure. When it finally happened, Jim sat at his desk and proceeded to ignore the entire incident as he turned on his computer.

Blair bounced a couple of times on his feet before deciding that discretion was the better part of valor. He went to the breakroom and made tea for them both, though he made Jim’s a soothing herbal concoction of his own. He returned to the bullpen and set the tea in front of his Master, saying, “I’ll get that filing done, since yesterday was a wash.”

“Thanks, Blair,” Jim replied absently, his mind obviously a million miles away.

Filing was his most hated chore. Jim didn’t even seem to notice Blair’s misery throughout the morning as he got paper cut after paper cut. He forged through the massive department piles stoically, getting the closed cases done by about one thirty that afternoon. He’d been briefly tempted to remind Jim about the possible crime scene, but figured that if the other man was that distracted, using his senses would just be looking for trouble.

Blair stood up too fast and whacked his head on the open file drawer. That combined with a head rush from lack of food and he staggered sideways, crashing into someone who, naturally, carried a vase of flowers that broke on the floor when the guy dropped it. Finding himself on the floor along with the flowers, Blair groaned, putting a hand to his head and came away with blood.

“What the hell is your problem?”

Looking up at the delivery man he’d crashed into, Blair apologized, “I’m sorry, I didn’t even see you there! I hit my head and…”

Blair saw the man’s hand rise to strike and cringed, ducking his head under an arm to protect himself. When the blow didn’t land, he looked up cautiously to find Jim’s hand around the delivery guy’s wrist, saying something into his ear that made him pale and take off.

Crouching beside him, Jim carefully took hold of his head and tilted it, asking, “How’s your head, Chief?”

“I think it’s still attached,” Blair muttered.

Jim pressed something to the wound and said, “It’s a small cut, but all scalp wounds bleed like a sonuvabitch. Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Blair leaned on his Master as he stood, dizziness assaulting him more than it should for such a minor wound.

“Whoa, you okay there?” Jim asked, supporting him. “What’s wrong?”

Feeling a little nauseous, Blair admitted, “I might’ve hit my head harder than I thought. I don’t feel so good, Jim.”

Jim moved him to sit on the nearest desk, Rafe’s empty one, and took a long look at him, palming Blair’s forehead. Frowning, he said, “You might have given yourself a concussion. We should get you checked out. It could be residual from the accident yesterday.”

“I just need to rest for a little…”

“Now, Blair.”

Blair took the hand his Master held out, knowing that implacable tone. Truthfully, he did feel woozy enough that Jim was probably right. He just hated admitting to any kind of weakness, especially if it was self-inflicted, however accidentally. Thankfully, Jim kept to the speed limit and didn’t make any sudden turns or hit too many potholes on the way to the hospital. He felt better by the time they got there, at least until he tried to get out of the truck and nearly fell on his face.

Jim just barely caught him in time, folding him into a firm embrace as he murmured, “Easy there, little one, take your time.”

“Don’t know what’s wrong with me,” Blair mumbled, his head throbbing.

Lips pressed softly to his temple as Jim pointed out, “You got your head scrambled one too many times.”

Blair leaned on the other man as they walked, partially closing his eyes in the hopes a migraine wouldn’t form.

Dr. Drew’s voice asked, “Detective Ellison? What happened?”

“Blair hit his head on a filing drawer,” Jim answered. “And he was in a car accident yesterday, hit it then, too.”

“Ouch. Blair? Can you look at me?”

Blair squinted at the young, blonde doctor and greeted, “Hey, Dr. Drew.”

Shaking his head, green eyes warm, Dr. Drew informed him in an exasperated tone, “You need to stop hitting your head.”

“I try not to,” Blair replied, half-smiling.

“Come on and bring him back. We’ll get him stitched up and then do a CAT scan to make sure nothing more serious is going on.”

Which Blair hadn’t actually thought of, before. They were led back to one of the exam areas where Jim helped Blair onto the bed. That, of course, set off a round of, ‘puke, or don’t puke?’ and the other man held a metal bowl handy, just in case.

A nurse brought in a tray with needle and thread, rolling it to Dr. Drew’s side as he examined Blair’s head. His touch was light and deft, but firm. “Well, you did a good job here, Blair. I’m going to guess ten should take care of it, but I need to cut a little of your hair to tell properly. Sorry.”

Blair sighed. “That’s okay. Serves me right for being clumsy.”

Jim’s hand tightened on his in a silent rebuke, causing Blair to wince as he realized that the self-insult had just earned him five in a spanking. Even though he personally thought it was a lost cause, Jim had decided to try and break him of the whole self-disparaging comments habit he had.

Dr. Drew took care of everything in less than fifteen minutes. He stepped back and said, “You know the drill, guys. Keep it dry. If there’s any worsening of your symptoms, get back here on the double. Hang out here while I check and see what the schedule is for getting you in today.”

Once he was gone, Jim stood between Blair’s legs and asked abruptly, “When did you last eat?”

“Um…breakfast?” Blair replied hesitantly.

“Blair, it’s almost three! You can’t keep skipping meals! No wonder you’re nauseous and woozy!” Jim exclaimed. “We’re going to have a serious discussion about this when you’re feeling better, Darwin, and you better believe it.”

Blair did, unfortunately.

* * * *

Jim found Dr. Drew and told him about Blair’s lack of food for the day. The doctor agreed that it was likely a contributing factor, but wanted to run the tests anyhow, just to be on the safe side. And since Jim didn’t like to take risks with his slave, he agreed. In the meantime, the doctor arranged for some food to be brought for Blair and Jim returned to the area where the slave lay on the exam bed, arm thrown over his face.

For a few minutes, Jim just looked at the younger man, taking in the practically visible aura of exhaustion. There was no doubt that they’d been working harder than usual the last couple of weeks, not with the crime spree that had hit the city. Jim just hadn’t realized how hard, because Blair didn’t complain and he’d been caught up in the work. He forgot, sometimes, just how self-sacrificing the slave was in his drive to be everything Jim could possibly need.

And to top it off, his father had shown up again, right at the worst possible moment. Jim sighed faintly and asked silently, Why now? What does he want? Because there was no way that William Ellison just wanted to say hello or otherwise insert himself into his sons’ lives. There was always an ulterior motive.

Jim walked over to the bed and rested a hand on Blair’s chest, startling the slave enough that his heart put on a burst of speed. When deep blue eyes gave him an accusing look, he smiled apologetically and said, “Sorry. Should’ve made some noise.”

“Please,” Blair agreed, relaxing back against the pillows. “Hey, did you see how Simon was doing? Since we’re here and all.”

Jim stated, “The only thing on my mind right now, is you. Someone’s going to bring food, but you’re still getting the tests, just in case.”

Blair sighed and muttered, “Lucky me.”

“Blair, do you love me?” Jim asked slowly.

Shock lit the slave’s face and he immediately tried to sit up, but Jim kept him down with the hand on his chest. Blair finally exclaimed, “Of course, Master! With everything I am!”

Earnest, Jim questioned, “Then why do you keep hurting yourself? I know your brain is pretty much going a million miles an hour all the time, so I get not paying attention to where you’re going, but not eating? Do you want to leave me subconsciously? Are you trying to get more attention? Do I ignore you? What am I doing wrong?”

Blair’s hands gripped Jim’s and he replied firmly, “You’re not doing anything wrong, Master, and no, I don’t want to leave you. I swear it. It’s just…I forget. As lame as that sounds, it’s true. Do you know I used to set alarms to remind me to sleep? I get caught up in things and lose track of time completely.”

Thinking the explanation over, Jim finally told him, “It can’t go on, Blair. We need to find a way to change your priorities.”

The nurse arrived just then with a tray of food, forestalling further conversation on the topic. Just as well, since Jim knew he needed to really think and plan what to do about the situation. Clearly, punishment wasn’t getting through to the younger man so a change was in order, but what?

It was a good hour before Blair got taken down for his tests. Jim accompanied him, of course. He wasn’t about to let the slave out of his sight until they’d figured out what was going on with the supposed accident. Thankfully, it didn’t take too long to get things done and they were back in the emergency area about a half-hour later.

Jim helped Blair back onto the exam bed and then sat on the edge of it, combing his fingers through the thick curls. He kept watch on the drowsy slave, enjoying the simple contact of his fingers through the soft hair, knowing from the steady, calm heartbeat that Blair enjoyed it as well. It was nearly seven o’clock by the time Dr. Drew stopped by with the test results, but it hardly seemed to be even ten minutes later and Jim realized that he’d gone into either a trance or mini-zone, focused as he’d been on Blair.

“Take him home, he’s fine,” Dr. Drew said. “Just make sure he wears a helmet the next time he files.”

Relieved as he stood, Jim shook the doctor’s hand and promised, “He’s not going to be doing any in the near future.”

Blair looked hopeful as he asked, “Really?”

“No, not really,” Jim retorted. “C’mon, Darwin. Let’s go home.”

Dr. Drew’s chuckle followed them out.

* * * *

They were on the way home when Jim cell rang. Glancing at the ID showed Rafe’s name and he answered with, “With did you find?”

Rafe’s voice sounded strained as he relayed, “The car was stolen, Jim. It was taken from a shopping mall this morning and reported just this afternoon, after the accident.”

“Convenient timing,” Jim commented, tensing at the news.

Rafe sighed. “I know. I sent a couple of uniforms to bring in the owner, just to check him out. On paper, he looked perfectly legit, but…”

Nodding even though the other detective couldn’t see it, Jim agreed, “Better safe than sorry.”

“Hey, how’s Blair?”

“He’ll live. We’re heading back to the loft now.”

“Good. I’ve got this covered from here. You know, I put a couple of guys on Simon’s door, just in case. Do you want…”

Jim interrupted, “We don’t need any backup, but thanks.”

“Are you sure? We still don’t know what’s really going on here,” Rafe pointed out.

Pulling into their parking lot, Jim replied, “I’m sure. Call me when something breaks.”

“I will.”

Jim hung up and looked over at his sleeping slave, a fond smile surfacing as he took in the boneless way Blair had curled up in the corner. Brushing hair from the younger man’s face, Jim leaned in and pressed his lips to the soft skin just under Blair’s ear. This woke the slave, causing him to sigh and mumble as he woke.

When deep blue eyes opened and met his, Jim couldn’t remember ever feeling so complete. His time in the jungle, when all his senses had been running at what had seemed optimal capacity was just a drop in the bucket with how good he currently felt. Smiling, he murmured, “Hey.”

Blair smiled back and answered softly, “Hey.”

“Ready for bed?” Jim prompted.

A mischievous glint entered Blair’s eyes as he replied, “Only if you’re in it.”

Chuckling, Jim kissed him lightly and drew back to say, “I will be, but not for that. C’mon, little one. Let’s get going.”

Blair made a face at him, but didn’t argue and started climbing out of the truck. Jim got out as well and met him around the back, putting an arm over his shoulder as they walked to the building.

Leaning on him as they waited for the elevator, Blair asked, “Did I dream it, or did Rafe call?”

They stepped on the elevator and Jim answered, “No, he called. No real news except that the car that hit you was supposedly stolen this morning.”

“What does that mean?” Blair questioned, frowning.

Jim shrugged. “That the car was possibly stolen. We’ll see what it means when he finds out who stole it.”

“If he does.”

Which Jim acknowledged with a grunt as they got off the elevator. He unlocked the loft door and looked around automatically as he brought Blair inside and then shut and relocked the door behind them.

Blair paused and looked up at him with, “Master?”

“Yeah?” Jim replied, sliding his other arm around the smaller man.

“I am sorry,” Blair sighed. “I’ll honestly try to remember to take care of myself better from now on. I’ll…maybe you can get me a new watch that has an alarm I can set on it.”

Jim half-smiled at that and said, “That’s a good first step. Doesn’t mean you’re getting out of your punishment once you’re well, but I think that’s a good idea.”

Dimpling at him, Blair pointed out, “Can’t blame a slave for trying.”

“No, I guess not,” Jim agreed, grinning and swatting him lightly on the ass. “Go and get ready for bed. We’re having an early night tonight.”

Blair stood on tiptop and kissed him chastely on the mouth before heading for the bathroom.

Jim watched him go before starting his nightly round of making sure they were secured. He walked in on Blair brushing his teeth and unzipped to relieve himself, groaning in relief as a too-full bladder finally emptied. Looking over when he heard the slave stop brushing his teeth, Jim was startled to find an intent expression in place as Blair watched him piss. As he shook off, Blair flushed and looked hastily away, spitting out his toothpaste and rushing to rinse it off and hurry out of the bathroom.

Thoughtful, knowing that he wasn’t mistaking the pheromones now heavy in the air, Jim wondered if it was just the sight of his cock that had cause the slave to get horny, or what he’d actually been doing. Did Blair have a kink for watersports that Jim didn’t know about? That maybe even Blair didn’t really know about?

Jim took his time getting ready for bed, giving Blair enough space to get himself under control. They had enough going on right then without bringing up something the slave might not want to bring up. Later, once things were back to normal though…

Grinning at the thought, Jim whistled cheerfully on his way to the stairs only to change course when the phone rang. He picked it up with a terse, “Ellison.”

“Jim, it’s me,” Rafe answered. “You’re not going to believe this, but we found the car thieves.”

“And?”

“A couple of kids who were joyriding in their uncle’s car. That’s why they took off, they knew they’d be up shit’s creek if they got caught.”

For a few seconds, Jim could only gape at the wall. Then he laughed, long and loud. Regaining his composure, he finally said, “Thanks, Rafe. I gather you gave Simon the good news already?”

“I’m on my way there now,” Rafe replied. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Make it Thursday.”

“See you then.”

“Night, Rafe. Thanks again.”

Jim replaced the phone and walked to the stairs with a much lighter heart, knowing it had been an accident after all. It was a hard way to live life, always suspecting the worst, but that was just how he reacted. With everything that he’d been through in his life, Jim couldn’t help it.

Still, there are worse ways to be, he reflected, climbing the last stair to find his slave sound asleep. I could be alone.

Climbing into bed, Jim pulled Blair carefully into his arms, not wanting to wake the exhausted man. Blair mumbled in his sleep as he curled up close, face pressing to Jim’s side. Yawning, Jim let himself relax, safe in the knowledge that they were both fine. There might be things looming to snare them in the future but, for the moment, he was content.