"Hey," Joel greeted as he entered the room

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Shaking himself slightly, Simon emerged from his daze to see Dr. Howard start to pass him. Reaching out, he grabbed the doctor's arm. "Stay back here," he ordered. Seeing Officer Simmons standing near the room, Simon walked over to him and growled, "What happened?"

Swallowing nervously, the man replied, "I don't know. I went in with the nurse so she could withdraw some blood from Sandburg. The next thing I knew, Ellison started yelling at her to stay away from his guide. He just went totally nuts!"

"Just calm down," Simon ordered. Waiting until the upset man had taken several deep breaths, he asked, "What happened next?"

"Ellison jumped out of bed and pushed the nurse away from Sandburg. I went to steady her so she wouldn't fall, and..."

"And Ellison managed to get my weapon while I was helping her," Officer Simmons confessed. "He yelled at us to get out, so we did. As we left the room, Davis rushed past us and tried to subdue Ellison. He only managed to take two steps before Ellison shot him."

"He's still in there," Simmons explained. "I tried to get to him, but Ellison pointed the gun at me. When I saw him start to pull the trigger, I ran."

"I think it just grazed his temple," answered Simmons. "But he's unconscious so I don't know how bad it really is."

"Keep everyone back," Simon ordered as he withdrew his weapon and slowly approached the room. Stopping at the door he yelled, "It's Banks. I'm coming in."

Warily, he opened the door but didn't enter the room right away. "Blair?" he called out. "What's happening in there?" When Blair didn't respond, Simon peered past the doorway trying to get a glimpse inside the room. Quickly, he pulled back as a shot splintered the wood above his head.

Simon stood outside as the sound of whispered voices reached his ears. Worried, he decided to try looking into the room again. Peeking around the doorway once more, he was relieved when Jim didn't seem to notice his presence. Prepared to jump Jim if necessary, he silently observed the conversation occurring inside the room.

Lying in bed, Blair held his uninjured arm tightly against his side. "Hey, Jim, Simon is our friend," he reassured. "It's okay to let him in."

Stopping beside Blair, Jim looked down at the other man, "I know that. I wasn't talking about you. It's them that I don't trust." Noticing that Blair was shivering slightly, Jim walked over to the other bed and picked up the blanket lying there. Returning to Blair, he gently placed the blanket over his guide.

Smiling his thanks, Blair tried to reason with Jim. "We can trust Simon, Jim. You need to let him in here so he can get Davis some help."

After looking over at the unconscious officer, Jim turned a sorrowful expression towards Blair. "I didn't mean to shoot him," Jim confessed. "I just wanted to scare them off, but he was rushing at him and I... I just panicked."

"It's okay, Jim," Blair reassured. "The wound doesn't look that bad, but we do need to get him some help. Let Simon come in and get Davis out of here, alright?"

Smiling, Blair replied, "Okay." Watching on as Jim resumed his pacing, Blair called out to Simon. "Simon, you can come in now."

Hearing Blair, Simon hesitantly entered the room. "Blair," he said, "how are things in here?"

Leaning back against the bed, Blair sarcastically answered, "I feel like crap, Jim doesn't remember much of anything and Davis got shot. Not to mention, I really, really have to go to the bathroom. So how do you think things are?"

Grimacing, Simon slowly approached Davis and knelt down beside him. Reaching out a hand to check the officer's vital signs, Simon let out a sign of relief when he found a strong, steady pulse. Turing to look a Blair and Jim, he reassured, "He's alive."

Realizing that Jim wouldn't budge on this issue, Simon stood up and bent over to sling Davis across his shoulder. Standing up, he stated, "I'll be right back."

Waving his empty hand in the general direction of Blair's bed, Jim responded, "But didn't they put in a... Well, you know."

Lifting the blankets covering him, Blair took a peek. "Shit," he uttered when he saw the tube. "I really, really hate these things."

"I can't very well go with you standing there staring at me," Blair grumpily complained. "So turn around."

Chuckling slightly, Jim turned around and faced the window. A few seconds later, he smiled as a quiet 'aaah' reached his ears. "Can I turn around now?" he asked.

Turning around to face Blair again, Jim noted to expression of concern and worry directed his way. Wanting to reassure the other man but not sure exactly what to say or do, Jim simply laid his hand on Blair's forehead.

Sensing Jim's uncertainty, Blair inquired, "You really don't remember anything, do you?"

At Blair's nod, Jim stated, "Bits and pieces, nothing much really. Mainly just..."

Before he could answer, Simon entered the room again. Stepping away from Blair slightly, Jim pointed the gun at Simon and ordered, "Stop right there. Don't come any closer."

Stopping, Simon raised his hands in the air. "I'm not armed," he informed Jim. "I just wanted to let you know that, besides a slight concussion, Davis will be fine."

"No, Jim," Blair protested. "I told you Simon is our friend. He just wants to help us. Let him stay."

Lowering the weapon, Jim conceded, "Fine, he can stay. But only as long as he keeps over there."

"Anything you say, Jim," Simon agreed. "But there's someone else outside who wants to help. Can he come in too?"

Attempting to calm Jim down, Blair pleaded, "Let's just see who it is first. Please?" Seeing Jim nod his assent, Blair turned to Simon and asked, "Who is it?"

"I think we can trust him," Simon added. "He main concern seems to be your and Jim's well-being."

Grinning, Blair replied, "So he must be one witty, intelligent, extremely good-looking guy, huh?" Seeing Jim smile, Blair was relieved to feel the tension in the room decrease. "Let him come in, Jim."

Seeing Jim nod, Simon went over and cracked the door open. Gesturing at someone outside, he opened the door wider and then stood aside as Dr. Howard entered the room.

Keeping an eye on Jim, Dr. Howard silently entered the room and went over to stand beside Simon. Noticing Blair's scrutiny, he greeted, "It's nice to finally be able to meet you, Mr. Sandburg."

"Alright," the doctor agreed. Ignoring the scowl on Jim's face and the gun pointed in his direction, Dr. Howard smiled and asked, "How are you feeling, Blair?"

Impressed by the doctor's attitude, Blair returned the smile and replied, "Even my hair hurts, Doc."

"No, that's okay," Blair responded. "But if you really want to help then there's something that you can do."

Turning to look at Jim, Blair answered, "Help us get Jim's memory back, because the last thing I can clearly remember is pulling into the Cascade High School parking lot."

"I don't believe this," Simon groaned as he realized the implication of Blair's words. Shaking his head, he sarcastically declared, "This just keeps getting better and better."

Walking over to Blair's bed, Simon leaned over the injured man. "Do you mean to tell me," he snapped, "that you can't tell us what happened either?"

Reining in his frustration, Simon took a moment to study Blair. Noting the fine sheen of sweat covering Blair's forehead and the small tremors still racking the bruised body, he backed away slightly. "I'm sorry, Sandburg," he apologized softly.

"It's alright, Simon," Blair reassured the distressed man. "Really, I'm feeling fine." Seeing the skeptical look directed his way, he admitted, "Okay, maybe not fine exactly but I'm dealing with it."

"Of course not," Jim answered before Blair could respond. "What are you blind or just stupid."

"Easy there, Blair," Jim advised. "I'm sorry, but this guy is really pissing me off. Any idiot could see that you're hurting." Glancing up at Simon, Jim demanded, "Just look at him for crying out loud."

"No, you don't, Banks," Jim interrupted. "You don't realize any fucking thing. He's lying there in pain but instead of resting, he has to deal with all of this shit."

Hearing Blair's slight gasp, Jim gently guided him back down, "Lay down, Blair."

"But you two shouldn't be acting like this," Blair pleaded. "C'mon guys, you're friends."

Regretting the hurtful words, Simon said, "I apologize, Jim. I shouldn't have said that."

"Why not?" Jim asked. "After all, it's the truth isn't it?" Looking down, Jim realized that he was still holding the gun. Reaching out his hand, he held the weapon out to Simon. "Take this thing before I wind up killing someone. The ways things are going it'd probably end up being one of the good guys. And you know what the truly pathetic thing is?"

Emitting a rueful chuckle, Jim answered, "At this point, I wouldn't even know the difference."

Hearing the self-recrimination in Jim's voice, Blair comforted, "Jim, Simon said Davis would be alright. Everything will be okay."

"I shot a cop!" Jim shouted. Looking up at Simon, Jim questioned, "So tell me, Captain, what will happen when everybody finds out?"

"There are extenuating circumstances here, Jim," Simon reasoned with the guilt-ridden man. "No one will hold this against you."

"I can and I do," Jim interrupted. "If weren't for Blair being here, I'd let them take me to that psychiatric ward in a second. I shot someone. How much more screwed up can I get?"

Stepping forward, Dr. Howard broke his silent vigil. "Detective Ellison, you do have some very serious issues to deal with but I promise you that I can and will help you. Both of you."

Not wanting to cause Blair anymore anxiety tonight, Jim merely replied, "Okay, Blair. Whatever you say. But for now, you need to get some more rest. Maybe let the doc here get you another shot."

"No," Blair protested. "The sooner we get started, the sooner you get your memory back."

"Not tonight," Jim declared. "He's been through enough. Right now, he needs to rest. And I'm going to make sure he gets it, no matter what you want."

Turning to Dr. Howard, Jim requested, "Could you go arrange for Blair to get another one of those shots?"

"Oh no, Jim," Blair complained. "I don't want to get a shot. My mind will get all fuzzy again. I can't think with that shit inside of me."

"That's the point," Jim responded. "You're hurting, Sandburg. And I think that both of us have had more than enough of that lately."

"Yeah?" Jim asked. "Well how do you know that? How does either of us know that? Neither of us can remember a fucking thing about what happened."

"Simple," Blair replied. "You're my blessed protector." Watching as Jim staggered slightly and raised a hand to his head, Blair exclaimed, "Jim, are you alright?"

Shaking his head slightly, Jim reassured, "Yeah. It's just that there for a second, I got a flash of something."

Hearing Blair's quiet "Jim", he turned back around to look at Blair. "I can't right now," he pleaded. "No more."

Seeing the pain etched into Jim's features, Blair addressed Dr. Howard, "So how about checking into that shot, Doc? I think that Jim's right. Neither of us are up to dealing with anymore tonight."

Nodding his head, Dr. Howard replied, "I'll go find Dr. Jones and have him arrange things with the nurse." Without waiting for a response, he turned and left the room.

After Dr. Howard left, Blair told Jim, "Go get in bed, Jim. You need to rest too."

"Really?" Blair asked. "Or are you just going to stay awake all night and watch me sleep?"

"You need to rest too," Blair insisted. "I have a feeling that tomorrow's going to be tough on both of us. Get some rest, Jim. We've still got a cop outside the door, and I imagine Simon will be sticking around tonight."

"I'm not going anywhere," Simon promised. Looking at Jim, he said, "I know I said an awful thing, but I just... Hell, Jim, this is really starting to get to me. I guess I'm feeling a little bit pissed off too, and I took my frustrations out on you." Shaking his head, Simon continued, "Here I am telling you that I'm your friend and you can trust me, then I pull some shit like that. I really am sorry."

"Well, I guess we both did some things that we regret tonight," Jim responded. "It's alright, Ba... Simon."

All three men looked towards the door as it opened and Dr. Howard walked into the room with a nurse. "I spoke with Dr. Jones," the doctor informed the men. "He ordered a shot for Blair. It should enable him to get a good night's rest."

Watching as the nurse went over to inject Blair with the pain medication, he continued, "I have rounds in the morning, but I should be here by nine at the latest."

"We'll be waiting, Doc," Blair stated. Yawning as the medication started to take effect, he turned to Jim and demanded, "You get some rest too."

"I will, Blair." Jim responded as he watched Blair's eyelids slowing slid shut. "After we're out of here and someplace safe," he added in a whisper.

"You heard me," Simon replied. "You promised Blair that you would get some rest. So get your ass in bed."

"You really should get some rest, Jim," Dr. Howard interrupted. "Your chances of regaining your memory will be greatly increased if you are well rested in the morning. If you're tired and fatigued, then odds are we won't have any success."

Seeing Jim's indecision, Simon stated, "I promise you that everything will be alright."

Jim searched Simon's face for several long seconds, seeming to be satisfied by what he saw; Jim nodded and walked over to the other bed. "I'm entrusting his safety to you. He says that I can trust you. If he believes it, then I believe it."

Glancing over at Blair for a second, Jim turned and pinned Simon with an intense glare. "If you do, you'll regret it," he warned.

Lying down on the bed, Jim turned on his side so that he faced Blair. Tuning into the other man's heartbeat, Jim relaxed as the soothing rhythm washed over him. Closing his eyes, he briefly noted Dr. Howard's departure.

Taking a deep breath, Jim used his guide's scent to ground him as he cast out his hearing. Determined to maintain his vigil, he kept his hearing extended. Confident that he would detect any trouble before it reached their room, Jim settled into a light doze.

Simon watched as his two friends succumbed to the much-needed sleep. Walking over to a chair in the corner, he sat down and settled in for the night.

Jerking awake, Simon was disturbed to discover that he had dozed off. Standing, he stretched then took a look at his watch. Noticing that only two hours had passed, Simon realized that he would need some help if he wanted to stay awake. Walking over to check on Jim and Blair, he discovered that they were both sleeping soundly.

Easing away from the beds, he walked over and left the room. "Simmons," he greeted as the door shut behind him.

"No," Simon reassured. "I just need a little caffeine boost. I'm going over to the nurses' station and see if I can beg a cup. I won't be gone long."

Starting to walk down the hall, Simon turned and added, "Remember, no one goes in that room unless you're with them." Seeing Simmons nod, Simon resumed walking.

After Simon had disappeared around the corner, Simmons turned as he heard someone approach from the other side of the hallway. Smiling as he caught sight of the familiar figure, Simmons didn't think to question the presence of the other two men.

His expression of welcome turned to one of surprise as one of the men lunged forward and shoved him back against the wall. Feeling a hand cover his mouth, Simmons began to struggle. Before he could get free, he felt a needle plunge into his neck. Slumping as the drug overtook him, Simmons never felt it when he was quickly picked up and carried into Jim and Blair's room.

As the three men entered the room, one quietly hissed to their leader, "Are you sure these white noise generators will work?"

Watching as the other man walked over and dumped the Simmons' unconscious form into Simon's recently vacated chair, he ordered, "Easy with him." The turning to the other man, he quietly answered, "He's not awake is he?" Seeing the man shake his head, he added, "Then it's working. Now go get the gurney we left down the hall and bring it in here."

Walking over to check on Blair, he stared down at the injured man with a regretful look. Hearing the remaining man with him ask, "Are we taking Sandburg again too?" He answered, "No. It's like I said before; Sandburg is of no importance and last time only hampered our efforts. He stays here." Turning as the door opened and a gurney was pushed into the room, he ordered the two men, "Let's grab Ellison and get out of here."

Jerking awake when he felt the sting of a needle, Jim blearily gazed up at the two men leaning over him. Starting to struggle, he froze when a familiar voice hissed, "Quit fighting us or your guide comes too. Do you really want to hear him scream again?"

Shaking his head slightly, Jim searched the room as he was lifted and placed on the gurney. Eyes finally settling on the owner of the familiar voice, Jim gasped in shock as he stared up into the face of Joel Taggert. As unconsciousness threatened to overcome him, Jim barely managed to whisper an accusing, "You."

Walking over to the door, Jacobs pushed it open slightly to check out the hallway. Jerking backwards, he let the door shut and exclaimed, "Banks is coming down the fucking hallway."

"Are you crazy?" Jacobs asked. "Killing Banks was never authorized. Our orders were..."

"I'm giving you new orders," Joel interrupted. "You and Smith move Ellison back. I'll deal with Banks."

After watching the two men move Jim to the other side of the room, Joel turned and pointed his gun towards the door.

Outside, Simon became alarmed when he didn't see Simmons standing beside the door to Jim and Blair's room. Withdrawing his weapon, he slowly maneuvered down the hallway. Pausing outside the room, he quietly pushed open the door. Crouching down he extended his weapon and lunged into the room, stopping as he looked down the barrel of a gun. Eyes trailing from the barrel to the hands holding the gun and then up the arms of the gunman, Simon was shocked to find himself facing Joel.

"What the fuck?" He muttered as he looked past Joel and saw Jim lying on a gurney. Then spotting the two men standing there, Simon's eyes widened slightly. "Joel," he growled, "what exactly is going on here?"

"Just taking care of some unfinished business," Joel informed Simon. Turning quickly, he brought his gun around and pointed it at Jacobs and Smith. "And you boys are it," he added.

Quickly glancing at Jim and then Blair, Joel replied, "Redeeming my soul." Hearing Simon's quizzical, "Joel?" He addressed his fellow captain, "I could really use some help here, Simon."

"You shouldn't," Joel advised. "However if you want Ellison and Sandburg to stay safe, then I suggest you do as I say."

Walking over to stand beside Joel, Simon stated, "If anything does happen to them, then you'll answer to me."

Chuckling slightly, Joel responded, "Believe me, if that occurs then you'll be the least of my problems."

"You got that right, Taggert," Jacobs threatened. "You're already dead, you know that, don't you?"

"That's my problem," Joel replied. Pulling two syringes out of his pocket, he added, "This is yours."

Bestowing a feral grin on his two former accomplishes, Joel informed, "Don't worry. You're just going to be taking a little nap."

Bewildered, Simon warned, "Somebody better tell me what is going on, and I mean now."

Shocked at seeing this previously hidden side of Joel, Simon stammered, "Wha... What did you just say?"

"I don't have time to deal with you right now." Came Joel's exasperated response. "Right now, we need to get the fuck out of here." Addressing Jacobs and Smith again, he ordered, "Move away from Ellison." Seeing the two men hesitate, he added, "Do you really think that I won't put a bullet in you?"

Complying, the two men edged away from the gurney. Once they reached the wall away from Jim and Blair, Joel instructed, "Take out your weapons, two fingers only, and place them on the floor." Watching the two as they obeyed his instructions, he continued, "Now stand up and kick them over this way." Not taking his eyes off the two men, Joel listened as the guns were kicked towards him. "Good job, boys. Now turn and face the wall. Put your hands above your heads. And I don't have to tell you to stretch, now do I?" After the two men had assumed the position, Joel told Simon, "Cover me for a minute."

"How do you know that I won't put a bullet in you?" Seeing Joel nod his head slightly in Jim and Blair's direction, Simon relented, "Alright, but just make it fast."

Approaching the two men, Joel warned, "Don't even think about trying anything. After all, a bullet would work just as well for me. Although I think you'd find one a bit more unpleasant than the shot."

Cautiously, Joel holstered his gun. Coming up behind the two men with a needle in each hand, he quickly injected to two men simultaneously. Dropping the needles, he rapidly backed away and withdrew his weapon again.

Turning around, Jacobs and Smith both scowled at Joel. "This isn't over," Jacobs vowed as he slowly slid down the wall. Silently, Smith collapsed beside the other man.

"No it's not," Joel softly said. Turning to Simon, he stated, "We have to get them out of here not." Attempting to walk over to Blair, Joel was halted by Simon's arm across his chest.

"We don't have time for this now," Joel hissed. Glancing at his watch, he added, "In exactly twenty minutes from now when I don't show up with Ellison, all hell is going to break loose. I really don't think we want to be here when it does." When Simon failed to remove his hand, Joel asked, "Do you really want them in the hands of those bastards again? They were hurt enough the first time, don't you think?"

Glaring at the other man, Simon inquired, "Exactly how involved in this are you?"

Staring Simon in the eyes, Joel answered, "Enough so that Ellison will probably kill me with his bare hands when he finds out."

When Joel started to walk towards Blair and Jim again, Simon called, "Joel?" As Joel turned his way, Simon warned, "It's me you should be worried about."

"Look, let's just get them out of here," Joel responded. "We're running out of time." Then, Joel walked over to Blair and began unhooking his IV.

"Are painful but not life threatening," Joel interrupted. Gathering up Blair in his arms, he coldly informed Simon, "I made sure of that."

Seeing the other man struggling to regain his composure, Joel demanded, "Drop it, Simon. Just get your ass over here and get Jim. We have to get moving now."

"I'll drop it for now," Simon agreed. "But once we get out of here, you've got a lot of explaining to do."

Nodding, Joel watched as Simon walked over to Jim. Reaching his friend, Simon stared down at the unconscious figure. "Don't tell me you drugged him too?" Catching Joel's nod, he inquired, "I don't understand. How did you get the drop on him?"

"You just won't give it a rest, will you?" Frustrated, Joel tersely replied, "White noise generators at first. Then a well-placed threat about his guide ensured his cooperation."

Grimacing, Simon refrained from commenting as he grabbed a hold of the gurney and began pushing it towards the door. Walking around Simon, Joel turned and pushed the door open with his back. "I've got a van downstairs," he informed as Simon neared the doorway.

Passing by the chair containing Simmons, Simon questioned, "Are we just going to leave him here?" Worried, he then added, "He is alive, isn't he, Joel? God, please tell me you didn't kill him."

"Other than having one hell of a headache when he wakes up, he'll be fine," Joel reassured.

"They'll be out for awhile," Joel stated. "And when we get away from here, you can call the station and have Brown come pick then up."

Pushing the gurney into the hallway, Simon asked, "Aren't you worried about what they'll say?"

Following Simon towards the elevator, Joel coldly replied, "They won't live long enough to say anything. My former superiors will make sure of that."

Wondering just what secrets the man he had thought of as a friend was hiding, Simon silently pushed the gurney into the elevator after the door opened.

After the elevator door closed, Simon turned to face Joel. "You were lucky I came back when I did," he said. "You took quite a chance there."

"I'm not one to take chances," Joel informed Simon. "I know you. There was no way you'd leave the hospital tonight."

"You may know me," Simon replied, "but I'm beginning to realize that I don't know you at all." Receiving no response from Joel, he asked, "So how long will Jim be out?"

Glancing down at Jim, Joel answered, "About an hour or so. Long enough for us to get to where we're going."

"Shouldn't he have woken up during all of this?" Simon wondered. "I know he got another shot, but after the first one he still woke up when Jim went ballistic."

"That last shot was a little different," Joel informed Simon. Looking up, Joel saw Simon's questioning look and added, "Do you really think these people would allow Jim and Blair to be found without keeping them under surveillance. They've got people everywhere."

Exiting the elevator, Joel instructed, "Keep it down until we get out of here." Walking out into the underground parking garage, he said, "Over here."

Wondering how they were going to get out of this mess, Simon followed behind Joel as the other man walked towards a van.

Leaving the gurney, Simon walked over and opened up the door. Stepping aside, he watched as Joel gently lowered Blair onto several blankets placed in the back of the van.

Turning to face Simon, Joel ignored the other man's searching look and ordered, "C'mon, let's get Jim in there."

Going over to the gurney, Joel grabbed Jim's feet as Simon grabbed his arms. Grunting softly, both men lifted him and carried him over to the van.

"Put him next to Blair," Joel instructed. After lying Jim down beside Blair, Joel shut the door. "Let's go," he said then went to get into the van.

Walking around to the passenger side, Simon took a quick glance around the garage before climbing into the van. Waiting until after Simon had got settled in the seat, Joel started the van and pulled out of the garage. After several minutes of quiet, Simon pulled out his cell phone.

"Brown," Simon answered. "We left a couple of packages for him at the hospital, remember?"

"Fine," Joel agreed. "But don't use that phone. It'd be too easy for them to trace the call. There's one in the glove box, use it."

Opening the glove box, Simon retrieved the phone and dialed the station. "Rhonda, I need to speak to Brown immediately." A few seconds later, Simon spoke into the phone again. "Brown, I need you to haul ass over to the hospital now. Some guys tried to grab Ellison again. No. Relax, Brown, they're both okay. Look, just get over to the hospital and go to the room they were in. Simmons is there along with the two guys who tried for Jim. They've all been drugged but they'll wake up in a little while. Make sure Simmons gets checked out and then get those other guys down to the station."

After listening to Brown for several seconds, Simon replied, "I don't know everything. Just be on the lookout 'cause this is some pretty heavy shit we're getting mixed up with here. Don't let anyone, and I mean anyone, near them. Once word gets out that they're in custody, you can be guaranteed that someone will try to reach them. Don't trust anyone except Major Crimes. Everyone else is suspect."

Yelling into the phone, Simon said, "Yes, I do know what I'm saying. I don't know exactly what we're dealing with here yet, okay? Until I do, I don't want to take any risks." Sighing, Simon added, "No, don't even bother. Because you wouldn't be able to get anything out of them, that's why. Just keep them alive until I get back there."

"What?" Simon asked. "Where will I be? Well..." Pausing as he noticed Joel gesturing at him, Simon said, "Just a minute, Brown." Cover the phone, he turned to Joel. "What is it?"

"Don't tell him you're with me," Joel instructed. "It's better if he doesn't know."

Frowning, Simon put the phone back up to his ear. "Brown? I'm taking Jim and Blair someplace where they'll be safe. No. I'm sorry but I can't tell you. It's better if you don't know. I'll get back in contact with you as soon as I can." Smiling, Simon said, "I'll tell them, Brown. You and the others take care of yourselves too. Stay safe." Ending the call, Simon leaned forward and put the phone back in the glove box. Then he turned around to look in the back of the van.

Chuckling softly, Simon replied, "Let's just say that I wish I had a camera right now." Shaking his head slightly, Simon couldn't help being affected by the scene before him. "Even when they're unconscious, it's like they're still aware of each other." Noting how Jim had rolled onto his side and slung an arm across Blair's chest, he observed, "Even now, it seems like he's trying to protect and comfort the kid."

Glancing up into the rearview mirror, Joel looked at Jim and Blair. "I'm still amazed by the connection between the two of them," he stated. Stilling picture the scene he had viewed in the mirror, he added, "That really pissed off the ones who grabbed them."

Turning to stare at Joel, Simon demanded, "And exactly who might those guys be?"

"It's a complicated story, Simon," Joel replied. "Not to mention a rather long one."

"That's alright, Joel," Simon reassured. "I like to think I'm a pretty intelligent guy so I think I'll be able to understand. And I have no intentions of leaving you or Jim and Blair anytime soon. So talk."

Slumping in his seat a little, Joel sighed and began to talk. "Remember when I told you that I had started to look into Jim and Blair's records?"

"Well, I started getting suspicious after that stuff with Brackett," Joel said. "Suspicions that were furthered by the Soles case."

"Yeah," Joel confirmed. "When Jim and I went into that church, he found the bomb and Candace Blake immediately. Nobody else could have without searching the entire building." Glancing over at Simon, Joel added, "It was after that case that I started checking into their records." When Simon didn't say anything, Joel continued, "Frankly, I was surprise that no one else had picked up on it."

"All the incidences where Jim has solved cases with very little, it not non-existing, evidence," Joel answered. "Coincidentally enough, it all seemed to start after he hooked up with Sandburg. Rather odd, wouldn't you say?"

"Why don't you tell me, Joel," Simon responded. "After all, it seems like you have all the answers."

"Alright then," Joel replied. "Really it's not odd at all when you know the real reason Blair is riding along with Jim."

Glancing over at Simon, Joel stated, "Jim's a sentinel and Blair is his guide." Hearing nothing from the other man, he continued, "But of course you already knew that, didn't you?"

"I..." Simon began. "Shit! Well I guess it'd be pointless trying to deny it now, huh?" Sighing, he admitted, "Jim came to me during the Switchman case. Said he needed some time off because he thought he was going crazy. Mentioned something about his senses being out of control. Honestly, I didn't pay much attention and kind of blew him off. It wasn't until after all that mess with Kincaid that I found out what was really going on."

Chuckling slightly as he remembered that day, Simon said, "I still can't believe that he expected me to buy that bull about Sandburg being his cousin. Then during the siege, Jim was totally amazing. He was hearing and smelling stuff long before I ever could. After everything was over, Jim explained some more about his senses and the truth about Sandburg. I think I made some smart remark about Superman or something." Glancing back at the two sleeping men, he added, "But I guess haven't enhanced senses really doesn't make him invincible, huh?"

Shaking his head, Simon turned to look at Joel again. "So yes, I know all about Jim's senses. But what's this guide business? I wanted to ask them in the hospital, but they weren't in any shape to answers questions."

"Because he supposedly helps with Jim's senses?" Simon asked. "I mean I know he's helpful, but ... wait a minute, what did you mean 'people like Blair'?"

Gripping the steering wheel, Joel replied, "There's a whole lot more to this than you could ever begin to imagine, Simon."

"I can only tell you what I know of it. Tell you of my limited involvement," Joel stated. "But when we get to our destination, there's a man that will be able to provide you with the answers to everything."

"What man?" Simon demanded. "I swear, Joel, if you've double-crossed me here then I'll..."

"Simon!" Joel yelled, cutting the other man off. "I never wanted to be involved with any of this. You've got to believe me. The last thing I ever wanted was to see the two of them hurt."

"Then start explaining, Joel," Simon ordered. "Convince me that I can trust you again. Convince me that I can trust you with their safety, because right now that's the most important thing to me. And don't doubt for an instant that I won't do everything I can to protect them."

"You may not believe it right now, Simon," Joel responded, "but the same goes for me." Receiving nothing but an icy glare, he continued, "Like I told you, after the Soles case I started checking into Jim and Blair's records. Evidently someone took notice."

Taking a deep breath, Joel took a moment to collect his chaotic thoughts. "One day, I received a few visitors at home. Guys I hadn't seen in a long time and didn't particularly care to see ever again. You see, Simon, Jim wasn't the only one involved in cover ops."

Staring at the other man, Simon merely sat in stunned silence for several seconds. "You..." he began when he finally found his voice again. "I knew that you had been in the military, but I didn't know that you were mixed up in that shit too."

"Yeah," Joel admitted. "It's where I got my demolitions training. There's always something the government wants blown up, but of course they don't want anybody to know the good old US of A was behind it." Emitting a soft sound that seemed to be a mix between laughter and sobs, Joel continued, "Didn't matter if any innocents got killed in the process either."

Taking a hand off the steering wheel, Joel briefly wiped at his eyes before continuing. "That's what made me finally leave," he confessed. "We were sent on a mission to destroy an embassy. They told us there were no civilians there. They told us that! It wasn't until afterwards, when we got back home, that I found out the truth."

Reaching out a hand, Simon gripped Joel's shoulder. "What truth was that, Joel?"

Voice trembling, Joel answered, "Evidently, someone had arranged for a group of kids to tour the embassy that day. It was a field trip for a class from a local elementary school." Choking back tears, he continued, "They were just babies, Simon. 7 and 8 year old babies. In all, ten kids were killed and another fifteen were seriously injured. Some suffered permanent disabilities."

"I'm okay, Simon," Joel replied. "Anyway, after that I left the military and joined the police department. I joined the bomb squad hoping to atone for what I had been involved with before. Hoping that, in some small way, each life I helped to save would somehow ease the guilt from all the ones I helped to destroy."

"Don't, Simon," Joel pleaded. "Just, don't. Okay? I need to get this out now. There may not be time for it later. And if something happens, I want you to explain it to them. Let them know that I didn't want to be involved with any of this and that I'm so sorry that I had to be."

"Thanks," Joel replied as the glanced over at Simon. "As I was saying, one day I got some visitors. It was my old commanding officer. God, I always hated that son of a bitch. When I opened my door and found him standing there... Well, to say that I was shocked would be an understatement." Swallowing to wet his suddenly dry mouth, Joel continued, "He had two other guys with him, obviously federal agents. I didn't want to have anything to do with them, but it's not like I could exactly refuse."

Flipping on the windshield wipers as a light rain began to fall, Joel paused briefly before proceeding. "They came in and started asking questions about Jim and Blair. I tried to pretend like I didn't understand what they were talking about, but they knew about my inquires into Jim and Blair's records." Laughing bitterly, he added, "Turns out it wouldn't have done any good. They already knew everything about Jim and Blair."

"Evidently the team that pulled Jim out of the jungle reported that he exhibited some strange behavior," Joel informed Simon. "So these guys had been keeping an eye on Jim every since then, even after he left the military. Then they noticed that I had started looking into Jim and Blair too. And they felt that I would be the perfect spy for them. Someone close to them that they trusted. I refused and told them I would go straight to Jim and Blair with everything."

"Why not?" Simon demanded. "Why in the hell did you keep quiet? Why did you go along with this? How could you betray them like this?"

"Threatened my family," Joel answered. "They threatened to kill my wife and son."

Shocked, Simon stared at Joel before managing to ask, "Since when have you had a wife and kid?"

"Ex-wife and son actually," Joel answered. "I got married while I was in the military," Joel explained. "We were together for five years before our son came along."

"We were divorced before I ever came to Cascade," Joel responded. "You see, after I left the military I became distant. I began to withdraw from my family more and more. Finally, my wife couldn't take the silence anymore. Laura tried, she really did. She wanted us to go get counseling, anything to save our marriage. But I just couldn't bring myself to go. Or even to care about much of anything."

"My son, Walter, he's... He's special. There was an accident when he was little; a car hit him. The trauma to his head was severe and he suffered brain damage." After pausing to take a deep breath, Joel continued, "We tried to keep him at home, but it just became too much. I was gone all the time on missions and Laura didn't have anyone there to help her. Eventually, his needs became more than we could manage and we had to place him in a home."

Staring at Joel, Simon thought back over the years he had known the other man. "That's where you go every month, isn't it?" he asked. "One weekend a month, you're always unavailable. I've checked into it, but no one ever seemed to know much about it."

"Yes," Joel admitted. "I always go to see him every month. I treasure the time I get to spend with my son."

"It's not that I wanted to keep it a secret," Joel disagreed. "My divorce was very hard on me. On Laura too. After I moved to Cascade, I just wanted to put that part of my life, the military and everything associated with it, behind me. It was too painful and I just couldn't deal with it." Smiling, Joel added, "But Walter, he's different. He's the best thing in my life. I'm not ashamed of him and I never intended to keep him a secret. My keeping silent about him was for his own protection."

"Just imagine how terrified he would be if someone like Kincaid got their hands on him," Joel explained. "I've made a lot of enemies, both from my time in the military and my time on the police force. If word got out that I had a son, a very vulnerable son, don't you think that some of them might try to get to me through him?"

Picturing his own son suspended out of a window by Kincaid's men, Simon shuddered and said, "I think I know what you're talking about."

Glancing over at the other man, Joel replied, "I thought you would. So when those guys showed up at my house with obviously recent photographs of Laura and Walter, I had to go along with them. At least until I could guarantee my family's safety."

"Yes," Joel answered. "With a little help I was able to move both of them someplace safe. Someplace where those bastards will never be able to touch them."

"So that's why you were able to switch sides tonight, huh?" Simon sarcastically inquired.

Sighing, Joel responded, "It was never a question of switching sides. I never turned against Jim and Blair. I just had to make sure my family was safe before I could make my move. I couldn't risk them. Not even for Jim and Blair."

"Well before you were able to make your move, what did they have you do?" Simon questioned.

"At first, nothing much," Joel answered. "Just keep an eye on Jim and Blair. Report anything suspicious, anything that might indicate how Jim was using his senses. How strong they were, if he needed Blair to make them work. I thought that they would be content just studying them for awhile. And, like I said, after all the press with Jim's 'Officer of the Year' award, I never thought they would grab the guys."

"Yeah," Joel replied. "When I reported in about the Chopec coming to Cascade and about that Incacha guy dying, they seemed to get nervous. I still don't understand why. Whatever it was, evidently it made them want to act."

"Did you know?" Simon asked. "That they were planning to grab Jim and Blair, I mean." When Joel didn't respond, he accused, "You did, didn't you?"

"It's not what you're thinking," Joel stated. "I did what I could to protect them?"

"Did what you could?" Came Simon's incredulous reply. "My God, Joel, do you mean to tell me that you were there while... while Blair was being tortured? I don't believe it. How could you stand by and let that happen?"

"Understand what?" Simon asked. "That you stood by and watched that kid being brutalized. They burned his fucking feet, Joel, and you stood by and did nothing!"

"But it wasn't anything that would kill him!" Joel yelled back. "He would live through it. I knew that those bastards wouldn't hesitate to kill my family, but there was no way they'd risk killing Blair. They didn't know enough about how the whole sentinel thing works and he was the only person with first hand knowledge of it."

"Is that why there were torturing him?" Simon questioned. "To get information about Jim and his senses?"

"Yes," Joel answered. "But he wouldn't say anything, Simon." Voice hushed, Joel continued in an awed tone, "No matter what they did, Blair wouldn't give them any information. God, Simon, I know that Blair was a pretty special guy but he is just a grad student, after all. Yet he withstood everything they did to him. The only thing he would say... He just repeated Jim's name over and over. Until the pain got to be too much, that is. Then he just screamed."

Feeling nauseous, Simon asked, "And what about Jim? What did he do? And why the fuck did they make him watch that shit?"

"I think they wanted to see just how strong the connection between the two of them really is," Joel hypothesized. "To see what Jim's reaction would be, how much he really cared about Blair." After glancing in the rearview mirror once again, he continued, "At first, Jim stayed quiet. I guess he figured that if they got no emotional reaction out of him that they would stop but he must have eventually realized that they had no intentions of quitting. That's when he went wild."

Voice shaking and tinged with a hint of fear, Joel said, "At first he yelled and screamed. Called them every name in the book, and the threats... Well, I didn't even know some of those things were humanly possible. They could handle it when he was screaming, it's when he became quiet that they really started to get scared." Hands rhythmically squeezing the steering wheel, he explained, "He started pulling at the chains, lunging forward again and again. Even when his wrists started bleeding, he didn't stop. But the really eerie part is he didn't even make a sound. He just keep staring at Blair, and straining forward." Trembling as he remembered what he had witnessed, Joel said, "Remember what you asked Dr. Jones about Blair? If he had been..."

"Raped," Simon finished when Joel hesitated. "Yes. You're not saying... but he said that Blair wasn't..."

"He wasn't," Joel interrupted. "But they were going to. They didn't want to risk using drugs because that might produce unreliable information and they had tried everything else without any success. So they decided to take more extreme measures."

"More extreme measures?" Simon asked. "Shit. Like what they had already done to him wasn't extreme enough?"

"When they started to remove Blair's... remove his boxers, Jim just froze," Joel answered. "It was the perfect opportunity for me to come forward. I told them that some witnesses had been found and were currently being interviewed. Warned them that the police had detailed descriptions of the men who had grabbed Jim and Blair. I suggested that they cut their losses. Blair had failed to provide any information and Jim was catatonic." Voice filled with self-loathing, Joel added, "Besides, they still had their spy in place."

"No," Joel replied in a quiet voice. "He was... They had him face down. He was tied up and couldn't move. I was sure to keep my voice down so he didn't hear me. He didn't know that I was there." Stammering, Joel added, "I... I convinced them to let Jim and Blair go, keep studying them to see what kind of affects that this... this experience would produce. So while Jacobs made the 911 call, Smith and some other guys prepared Jim and Blair for transport."

"Huh?" Joel asked. "Oh, Smith. He's the other guy that was at the hospital. Anyway, after they left with Jim and Blair, I went to the station."

"Right on time to get us to take the call seriously," Simon stated. "Perfect timing, Joel."

Continuing, he explained, "After I left the hospital earlier, I finally received word that my family was safe. I was just on my way back when I got the call telling me that they were planning to grab Jim again and that I was going to be the one to do it."

"That's what I don't understand," Simon stated. "Why try for Jim again so soon?"

"Originally, the plan was for both of them," Joel clarified. "I argued against that. Told them that Blair wouldn't be of any use to them. Eventually, they agreed. They were only ever interested in Jim anyway. And I figured that if it was just Jim they were trying to grab, they wouldn't send as many men and it'd be easier for me to stop them." Shrugging, Joel continued, "As to why so soon, I don't know. I think they were surprised that the guys couldn't remember things and were hoping to could grab them again before their memories returned."

After a few seconds of silence, Simon suddenly asked, "Is why you were telling me all of the shit at the hospital earlier?"

"Yes," Joel confirmed. "I didn't know what was going to happen next, so I wanted to make sure that you would be prepared for anything. It was pretty obvious that you knew about Jim. No way they could have continued covering this sentinel stuff up without some help and you were the most logical choice. I figured that you would already be on guard and that what I told you would only re-enforce that."

In a voice that was part praise, part disgust, Simon stated, "You're one sly bastard, Joel."

"Not sly enough," Joel replied. "If I were, they never would have been hurt in the first place." Turing off the main road and onto a private drive, Joel didn't give Simon a chance to respond as he announced, "Here we are."

Wary, Simon stared at the small cabin they had arrived at. "Are you sure no one will be able to track us down."

"Positive," Joel reassured. "The guy who owns this place is very good at keeping secrets." When Simon still hesitated, Joel prompted, "C'mon, let's get Jim and Blair inside."

Watching Joel exiting the van, Simon uttered a soft, "Shit." Then he joined Joel at the back of the van. "You take Blair," he ordered, "and I'll grab Ellison."

Without responding, Simon simply leaned forward. Standing, he settled Jim over his shoulders and grunted, "As long as we hurry." Shifting, Simon stood aside as Joel bent over and picked up Blair. With mixed emotions, he watched the man in front of him cradle the bruised, battered form. "Let's get inside so that I can see this answer man of yours," he growled.

Following Joel up the ramp to the cabin door, Simon again wondered exactly what he was getting himself into. Stopping when they reached the door, Simon tensed as it slowly swung open.

"It's about time you got here. I've been worried. And by the way, nice to see you again, Captain Banks."

Staring down at the wheelchair-bound man in front of him, Simon sighed and then replied, "Kelso."