Zeller stood motionless in the center of Lucas' room. It was deserted. When Lucas hadn't responded to Zeller's request that he bring Sandburg to him, he'd been curious. He'd come upstairs with the gun drawn, not quite knowing what to expect. Now he stood, staring at the empty bed, and the absence of his henchman.

*Well,* he thought, *looks like Lucas still hasn't decided who the boss is around here.* Zeller sighed sadly, as he cocked Jim's gun. He regretted it, but he knew he'd have to kill his henchman. He just couldn't trust him anymore. Although, he considered, that was quite a little performance Lucas had put on in his study, when he apologized. Zeller chuckled. What a fine actor his slow-witted giant turned out to be! It had been very believable, right down to the embrace....

Zeller abruptly stopped chuckling as a thought suddenly crossed his mind. His hand quickly fumbled for his pocket and reached in.... The antidote was gone.

*"LUCAS!!!!!!!!!!!!"*

* * * * * * *

Jim stepped silently into the parlor, and looked around. He saw the fireplace and the chaise lounge and realized he was in the same room he'd woken up in after being drugged and abducted. He looked around, listening, wondering where he would find Zeller and Blair. He had turned and was about to leave the room, when something caught his eye.

Jim knelt in front of the fireplace, staring in confusion. There was the end of some kind of an electrical cord on the floor, but it was sticking out from between the fireplace and the wall! *Now that's weird,* Jim thought. He took hold of the cord and tugged slightly, eyes widening as more of the cord seemed to come right out of the solid wall.

Jim dropped the cord and stood up, studying the firepalce. He leaned forward and pressed his ear to the bricks, listening. He could hear a heartbeat inside. A heartbeat he knew almost as well as his own. *Blair!*

Jim began to run his hand over the bricks that made up the fireplace. Maybe there was a hidden switch or something, like on the stairway. He couldn't find anything, so in desperation he drew back and slammed his shoulder into the hearth, trying to break through, anything. He didn't really know what he was trying to do. All he knew was that his partner was back there, and needed him.

Jim was about to slam his aching shoulder against the structure again, when he noticed that one of the light fixtures above the fireplace was at a slight angle. Further examination revealed some tiny scratches on the wall where the fixture was mounted. Hoping, praying, Jim reached up and pulled on it. There was a *click!*, and the fireplace slid back into the wall. Jim charged through, his gun at the ready.

He was in some kind of a workroom, dimly lit, piles of clutter all over the floor. Jim looked around briefly, before his eyes settled on the unconscious figure laying on the sofa.

"BLAIR!!!"

Reholstering his gun, Jim ran to sit beside Blair on the sofa. He carefully sat the young man up, slapping his face lightly to try and wake him; he had to find out where Zeller was with the antidote! "Sandburg..." He shook him a little. "Sandburg...I'm here...I..." Suddenly Jim had a thought, and looked at his watch.

5:15

Jim felt the room go cold, and the world stopped. "Oh God...no." He was too late. Zeller's antidote was useless now, his partner was going to die. He'd let Sandburg down. The Blessed Protector had not fulfilled his duty. All his plans for escape, his luck at finding the entrance to the hideout...all a waste. He'd failed.

Jim closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around his dying Guide, laying his cheek against the top of Blair's head. He sighed, feeling his eyes begin to water. "I'm sorry kid," he whispered brokenly. "I'm so sorry.... I tried...." All he could do now was stay by Blair's side until....

Until it was over.

There was an intense stinging building up in Ellison's throat, and a similar pain in his chest. He suddenly understood what people meant when they spoke of a "broken heart." He gently tilted Blair's head back to look at his face. Except for a few dark bruises,and circles under his eyes from a lack of sleep, the kid didn't look bad at all. Though it didn't make a dent to help ease the detective's pain, Jim was relieved that it seemed Blair's death would be peaceful, at least.

He sighed and listened to the quiet beating of Sandburg's heart, wondering if he was going to be able to cope with hearing it stop. He couldn't imagine going on without his Guide. Not even knowing if Blair could hear him, but needing to say the words, Jim began to speak.

"Chief... I don't know if you can hear me. But I want you to know that I'm here." Jim's voice shook as he took a deep breath, and continued. "And I'm going to stay here. I'm going to be with you when...." He broke off, unable to say it out loud.

*When you die in my arms,* he thought. Tears began to flow down Jim's chiseled face.

"I just want you to know... that you're... a great Guide... and a great partner." Jim gulped, trying to speak through the emotions that were quickly overwhelming him. "And you're... the best friend I've ever had.... I... I just...." He sighed. "I don't think I ever had a chance to tell you before."

Jim shifted a little, cradling Blair against his chest with one arm and reaching up to tenderly touch his face with the other. He was quiet for a long moment, just thinking. Thinking of how many changes his life had gone through in the past year. Amazing changes.

"How did you do it, Chief?" Jim whispered, to himself as much as to Blair. "I was a loner. I didn't need anyone. I didn't care about anyone. I was perfectly content to work alone, to live alone... to BE alone..." Jim's voice trailed off for a moment, as he smoothed the hair back from Blair's forehead, thinking about his life in the past.

"Then all of sudden here's this... this KID." Jim grinned a little as he remembered the first time he'd met Blair.

"This annoying, hyperactive, EXHAUSTING kid, who could try the patience of Mother Theresa..." Jim sighed, and pulled Blair closer into his embrace. "And somehow, you managed to get past all my defenses.... All the walls, the barricades I'd spent years building up to keep people just like you out.... How did you do it? I don't remember letting you in, Blair. I never asked you to become my friend." Jim closed his eyes tightly, as his emotions started to flare up again. "You had no right to make yourself so important to me.... I never gave you permission to make me care...."

Jim broke off as he was overcome by tears again. He couldn't speak anymore, his throat was completely occupied by the sorrow that was tearing him apart. He closed his eyes and lowered his head, rubbing his cheek against Blair's forehead, gently rocking his friend as his time on Earth slowly ticked away.

Jim had no idea how long he sat there cradling Blair in his arms. But suddenly a tiny, weak voice reached his ears.

"Quit with the rocking, man. I'm gonna throw up."

Jim felt the small body in his arms begin to stir, and he looked down sadly as Sandburg's eyes slowly fluttered open. "Hi Chief...." Jim managed to whisper. "How you feeling?" It was stupid question, Jim knew. How could Blair be feeling, knowing he was going to die in less than two hours.

Blair gazed up at him, bleary-eyed. Then his vision seemed to clear, and his face brightened. "Jim! It's you! You're back!" Relieved to see his friend safe and sound, Blair smiled and reached up to clasp Jim's hand. "What happened with the heist?"

Jim just shook his head in amazement. How typically Sandburg, to be more concerned about Jim's activities than the fact that his own life was about to end.

"It went fine Chief.... for me. Zeller's team is virtually taken care of." Jim shifted; his back was stiff from being in one position for so long. He could barely speak as he asked, "How... how do you feel.... Is there much pain?"

Blair shook his head. "No, none at all. Did you get Zeller yet?" Blair looked around, then noticed for the first time the tearful look on his friend's face. "Jim what is it?" he asked in concern. He struggled to sit up.

Jim helped Blair sit up, but kept his arms around him. "Blair... Blair I'm sorry..." Jim's voice cracked as the tears threatened again. "It's too late to get the antidote from Zeller." Ellison's head lowered, as he whispered... "I'm sorry."

Blair was confused for a moment, but then the realization hit him. Jim didn't know! He still thought Blair was going to die. "Oh God!"

Jim's big arms tightened around his partner, misunderstanding the exclamation. "It's OK," Ellison said softly. "I'm here. I won't leave you.... I.... "

"No, Jim. Everything's fine!" Blair interrupted. Jim shook his head, unable to speak, his head still lowered.

"Jim, I'm all right." Blair reached up to place his hands on Jim shoulders, trying to get the big man to listen to him. "I've already had the antidote!"

Jim froze. Slowly, very slowly, he raised his head and met Blair's eyes. "What?" he whispered. He wasn't sure he'd heard Blair right. "What did you say Chief?"

Blair smiled broadly at him, blue eyes twinkling. "I said, I'm all right. I was given the antidote already!"

Jim listened, wide-eyed, with his mouth open. "You mean... you're not going to die?"

Blair giggled a little at the expression on Jim's face. "Of course I'm going to die, man. Everyone does." He sighed, and patted his catatonic partner on the shoulder. "Just not today, looks like."

Jim felt a rush of warmth flowing through his body. It was a feeling of relief stronger than any he'd ever experienced. He shook himself a little, trying to clear all the thoughts running through his head. He'd been trying to prepare himself for life after Blair died. He had been picturing the way the loft would look and feel without his friend's presence. He had been trying to think of how on Earth he'd be able to fill the hole in his soul that Blair once occupied. But it was going to be all right. Blair wasn't going to die.

He found his voice after a moment. "How do you feel?"

"Tired." Blair replied. The smile left his face as his eyes settled on Jim's. "Tired and stupid.... Jim, I'm sorry."

"What for Chief?" Jim placed his fingers on Blair's pulse, sighing in relief as he felt it gaining strength.

Blair sighed. "I just... I mean...." he broke off for a second. "Well, damn it, Jim! I just can't seem to stay out of trouble for very long, can I?"

Jim chuckled. "I suppose you're going to try and blame yourself for this again, right?" Jim held up his hand as Blair started to answer. "Now's not the time, Chief."

Jim looked down and realized he was still holding his partner. He let go, and started to stand up as Blair yawned, still dopey from the effects of the antidote on his system. Then suddenly Jim's relief took over, and he wrapped his arms around Blair again. He held on tight, half crushing the smaller man against his chest.

Blair didn't fight him, he just reached up slowly to return the embrace, gently patting his partner on the back. They were both silent; there was nothing to say.

"Um... Mr. Sandburg?"

Lucas stood in the opening, watching them both. He stepped through, smiling as he continued, "I called them, their on their way. I... " Lucas broke off as Jim jumped to his feet, reaching for his gun and stepping protectively in front of Blair.

"That's far enough," The detective said, pointing the gun at the giant.

"No, Jim... it's OK.... he's on our side!" Blair grabbed his arm. "Lucas is the one who gave me the antidote!"

Jim still didn't look like he quite believed what he was hearing, so Blair briefly recapped what had gone on while the detective had been away. Jim looked uncertaintly from Blair to Lucas, who was frozen just inside the room. After a moment, Jim lowered the gun with a sigh. He motioned for Lucas to come into the room.

Lucas stepped forward nervously, and made a wide, careful circle around the sofa to the far side of the room, distancing himself from Jim. He hovered uncomfortably near the far wall for a moment, before glancing at Blair.

Blair smiled at him. "Lucas, I'd like you to meet detective James Ellison. Jim, this is Lucas." Blair sat back on the sofa to watch their reactions.

Lucas came forward shyly, and slowly extended his hand toward Jim. "Hi.... Um... nice to meet you."

Jim looked from the hand to the giant's face, thinking. He was uncomfortable. Lucas had saved Blair's life, but he'd still been an accomplice to Zeller. Jim wasn't sure how to deal with the giant. He knew he should place the big man under arrest, but....

Jim slowly tucked the gun in his pants, and reached out to shake Lucas' hand. "Hello Lucas...," he said, smiling.

"Boy, Kodak moment," Blair snickered from the couch.

Jim shot Blair a dirty look before turning to Lucas. He wanted to know where to find Klaus Zeller. "Lucas, listen to me. Where... " Jim broke off suddenly, realizing that something else needed saying. "Thank you, by the way...for saving my partner's life," Jim said quietly.

Lucas was surprised at the genuine gratitude he heard in the detective's voice, and he stammered a little as he replied, "You...you're welcome, detective." He glanced past Jim to the sofa, where Blair was smiling at him.

Jim laid a hand on Lucas' shoulder to get his attention. "Do you have any idea where Zeller might be right now?" Ellison asked the big man.

"Oh, I'm right here detective." Everyone whirled to face the owner of the chilling voice. Zeller had stepped through the opening in the fireplace, and was now standing only a few feet from the sofa where Blair sat. Zeller had Jim's own gun in his hand, and was smiling at the detective.

Jim immediately reached for Gerad's gun, but Zeller quickly stepped forward and pressed his weapon against Blair's head. "Don't try it, Ellison. It's a miracle that your young friend survived my toxin; it would be a shame if he had to die from your stupidity." The Ice Man's voice was frigid, his eyes locked on Jim's.

"Shit, here we go again," Blair mumbled, spreading his arms in a gesture of disbelief. "Was I born under a bad sign or something?"

"You shut up," Zeller hissed at Blair, then looked at Jim again. "Drop it detective."

Jim froze, cursing himself for not hearing Zeller's approach. Slowly he held his gun out to the side and dropped it, all the time glaring at Zeller.

"Good. I'm glad working with my men has taught you some intelligence. Now kick it over here." Zeller ordered.

Jim reluctantly did as he was told. Keeping his gun pressed to Sandburg's head, Zeller knelt and picked up the second gun, which he tucked into his pants behind his back. As he stood, he caught sight of Lucas at the far end of the room. His face brightened.

"Lucas! Where have you been? I've been wanting to talk to you!" He gestured at the big man. "Come here."

Lucas didn't move. He was staring blankly at The Ice Man, who suddenly moved his gun away from Blair's head and pointed it the giant.

"I said come here, Lucas," Zeller growled softly. He didn't notice as Blair carefully changed his position on the sofa, his muscles tensing.

Staring nervously at the gun in The Ice Man's hand, Lucas stepped forward. Maybe the boss didn't know he had stolen the antidote from him. Maybe he thought Lucas was still loyal to him. Maybe....

Lucas' thoughts were interrupted as Zeller fired the gun, and he felt the bullet strike him in the chest. The giant gasped in surprise and pain, and fell to the ground with a huge thud.

At almost the same time, Blair suddenly sprang off the sofa and grabbed Zeller's arm, trying to wrench the gun away from him. But the anthropologist was still weak, and he had little affect, other than make The Ice Man angry.

Zeller flung Blair backwards against the sofa, which flipped over, and was turning the gun on him when Ellison barreled into him at top speed. The two men crashed to the ground, fighting for control of the gun in Zeller's hand.

Lucas groaned weakly. He'd been shot. It was a new experience for him. He lay there on the ground, unable to move as he heard the sounds of scuffling around him. He closed his eyes as pain washed over him, along with a strange warm peace. *Am I dying?*

Jim hauled Zeller to his feet, still fighting for the weapon in The Ice Man's hand. Jim whipped Zeller's arm sideways, and the gun went flying behind the upended sofa. With a sudden burst of strength, Zeller swung Jim around and hooked his foot under the detective's legs.

Jim went sprawling, and his head connected solidly with the hardwood underside of the sofa, knocking him out. Zeller sprang to his feet and was about to lunge for the lost gun, when Blair popped up from behind the sofa, pointing the weapon at him.

The Ice Man stared at Sandburg, smirking. "Oh, really now. You don't actually think you have any chance against me, do you?" Zeller tried to appear casual as he moved slowly around the sofa toward Blair. Zeller could tell by the nervousness in the young man's face and stance that he'd probably never fired a gun in his life.

"Just...just stay where you are," Blair said quickly. Turning to keep the gun on Zeller. He glanced nervously down at Jim's unconscious form on the ground. *C'mon Jim, wake up!* he prayed.

Zeller was casually striding over to Lucas now, bending to examine the limp form of the giant, sprawled facedown in a growing puddle of blood. He straightened, sadly shaking his head at Blair as he spoke. "Such a shame. Lucas really was a useful part of my group." He studied Sandburg for a moment before adding, "Why he would turn against me for you is beyond me!"

Zeller folded his hands behind his back. It was meant to look like a casual gesture, but in reality he had slipped the second gun from his waistband into his hands. The young man seemed to have forgotten about it, and Zeller intended to take advantage of the mistake.

"Lucas was a good man. I think he finally realized that he could be doing better things with his life than helping a murderer," Blair snarled, hands tensing on the gun. He was going through an inner turmoil; he wanted desperately to shoot this man, but he couldn't seem to do it.

"So tell me, my young friend. How is miss Amber?" Zeller knew he could take the kid out with one shot, but he didn't care to try while there was a gun pointed right at him. He was trying to upset Sandburg enough to let his guard down. He continued.

"I intend to pay her a visit very shortly." He smiled as he saw Blair start to tremble with rage. "She and I did not spend nearly enough time together during our last encounter." A wide smile of inspiration crossed Zeller face, and he added, "I wonder how she would respond to a dose of my neurotoxin."

*Shoot him Blair!!! What are you waiting for, dammit... SHOOT HIM!!!* Blair's inner voice was roaring at him. His finger tensed on the trigger, but he still couldn't fire. He couldn't do it. He couldn't take another's life. He sighed in resignation, and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to clear his head. That moment was all Zeller needed.

The Ice Man quickly drew his gun, bringing it up to point at Sandburg, just as the young man opened his eyes again. Zeller was grinning as he pulled the trigger. *So long, kid.* he thought.

Out of nowhere, a huge arm slammed into Zeller's side, and his shot hit Blair's arm, instead of piercing his heart as was intended. The gun went flying. Zeller caught a glimpse of Sandburg falling to the ground before he was flung backwards into the wall by Lucas. The giant surged forward and grabbed a handful of Zeller's shirt.

"Lucas...!" was all that he was able to shout before the giant's huge fist connected with his jaw. Klaus Zeller was down for the count.

Lucas stood there swaying, looking down at Zeller. He turned his head and saw Sandburg writhing in pain on the ground across the room, and he started to take a step toward him. But it was too much, and Lucas dropped to the ground again. He must've blacked out for a moment because when he opened his eyes again, Blair was beside him, shirtless, cradling his huge head in his lap.

"Lucas?" Blair said softly. "Lucas can you hear me?" Blair had his shirt wadded up in his hand, pressed against the wound in Lucas' chest. From the direction of the couch, Blair heard a moan. He sighed in relief as he looked over and saw his partner finally beginning to stir. Then he turned his attention back to the giant, who was growing weaker with each passing second.

"S...Sandburg?... Are you OK?" Lucas' voice was faint. He knew he didn't have much longer.

"Yeah...yeah Lucas. I'm fine man." Blair sighed, shaking a little from cold and blood loss. "Thanks, man...for Zeller, I mean. That's at least the third time you've saved my butt." Blair chuckled a little. "You should get to know my partner Jim a little better; you two have a lot in common!" He was glad to see a faint smile pass over the giant's features.

Lucas closed his eyes. "No... I don't think...I'll be able... to do... that.... There's just... not enough...time." Lucas' voice trailed off, and he was quiet for a moment. Blair continued to cradle him in his arms. He knew there was nothing else he could do; Lucas' injury was fatal.

"San....Sandburg?" whispered the dying giant.

"Yeah?" Blair asked. "What is it Lucas?"

The mismatched eyes fluttered open again, glazed with pain. Slowly they turned upward and met Blair's. "Did you...did you um...mean it?.... What you...um...said before?" Lucas stiffened as a particularly intense pain hit him.

"When?" Blair was looking down at him uncertainly.

"What...what you said, um...to Zeller." Lucas took a deep breath, wincing. "Am I... a good man?"

Blair had to swallow, very hard, before answering "Oh yes, Lucas." He nodded and laid his hand on the deformed forehead. "I most definitely meant it." he forced himself to smile. "You are a good man."

Lucas smiled feebly as his eyes drifted shut again. "A good...man.... Nobody ever...nobody ever...um...said that about me...before." His head lolled back. He was silent for a few moments, then suddenly he opened his eyes again and looked up at Sandburg.

"Oh!...um...I almost...forgot.... You're...um...computer.... It's in my....um.... desk, ...in my... room.... I'm... sorry I took...it." His eyes closed, and the big body began to go limp. "It was... Gerad's... idea....to......" The giant was still.

"Lucas?" Blair stared down at the lifeless face. "Lucas...." He quickly pressed his fingers to the giant's neck. Nothing. Blair sighed sadly, closing his eyes, and continued to cradle the big head in his arms.

Jim slowly opened his eyes. Where was he? God his head hurt! He sat up, and suddenly remembered. He scrambled around and up onto his knees, trying to look in every direction at once. The first thing he saw was Zeller's motionless body lying on the floor a few feet away. Jim got to his feet and went to kneel beside the still figure. His sentinel ears picked up a heartbeat, The Ice Man was alive, but what the hell had happened? Jim quickly tore a strip off his shirt and used it to tie Zeller's hands behind his back. He had no idea where his handcuffs had ended up.

As he turned after trussing up The Ice Man, he saw Blair, shirtless and bloody, kneeling over a body. Jim came to stand over his partner's shoulder, and looked down.

Lucas was dead. Jim knelt next to his partner, who was helplessly cradling the giant's head in his lap. Gently he inspected Sandburg's injured arm, his sentinel fingers feeling the bullet still lodged in his bicep. He quickly tore another strip from his shirt, wrapped it around the wound and gently secured it. Jim could tell the wound had bled a lot, but now it seemed to have stopped.

Blair hadn't even flinched as Jim tended to his injury, and the detective quickly checked his pulse, confirming that his young friend wasn't in any immediate danger. "Sandburg," he said softly.

Blair had tears in his eyes, and was just staring into space. Jim gently laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Blair."

Blair turned at the sound of the voice, to see Jim gazing at him sadly. Blair opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn't make his throat work. He closed his eyes, and felt a tear sneak out from under his lid to run down his face. He was very pale, and he was shaking.

Jim carefully eased Lucas' head out of his partner's arms and gently onto the floor. He was quiet for a long time. Finally he said, simply "I'm sorry, Blair."

Blair just nodded, and shivered. Jim reached behind him and grabbed the blanket from the floor, wrapping it around his friend's shoulders. He had to be cold, sitting there with no shirt on. In the distance, Jim's Sentinel ears picked up the sound of sirens heading their way, and realized who it was that Lucas had called.

Blair still hadn't said a word. Jim was concerned. He reached out and laid a hand on his friend's shoulder again. He could feel Blair trembling through the heavy blanket. "You gonna be all right, Chief?" he asked.

Blair shook his head, his breathing starting to hitch. His chin dropped limply against his chest, and he closed his eyes.

Jim sighed, then gently turned Blair around to face him, and wrapped his arms around him. Blair leaned in and pressed his face into Jim's shoulder, shaking. Jim held him, feeling his shoulder getting soaked with tears, but not caring.

"It's OK.... It's OK.... " Jim said softly, over and over. "I know... I know, it hurts... Shhhhh.... It's OK." Jim rubbed his back, feeling the tremors running through his young friend's body.

He was still holding him when Simon and the Seattle PD came charging into the hideout.

* * * * * * *