"Chief, you all right in there?" Jim called, standing outside the closed door to Sandburg's room at the loft. His partner had been in there a good part of the morning. Jim could hear him thumping around, "tidying up", supposedly. Jim suspected his young friend planned to entertain a young female guest tonight while Jim was away.

"I'm fine man. Shouldn't you be going now?" came the clipped response.

Jim was a little concerned at the tone. Sounded like Blair was upset again. The past two weeks since the incident with Zeller had been rough on the young man. Jim had needed to run in and wake Blair up from nightmares at least a dozen times since he came home from the hospital.

Sandburg really had been very lucky; the doctors said he had no residual traces of the poison left in his system, and would probably make a full recovery. The bullet wound in his arm hadn't been serious either; he'd only had to wear a sling for a week.

Ellison sighed as he crossed the room to check his bags. He'd been invited on a weekend trip with one of his old friends from the force, to a little cabin in the mountains. He'd invited Blair along, too, but the young man had declined. Said he needed some time. Jim had been cool with it; he knew his friend had taken quite a beating, both physically and emotionally, in the Zeller incident. Jim could still see Blair, sadly cradling the body of the giant who had given his life for him.

Zeller's team had been taken care of. Skiff, Icart and Gerad had been taken into custody at the site of the attempted heist. With Lucas dead (although Jim didn't even put the giant in the same category with Zeller's men) that left only Zeller, who'd been arrested at the hideout. A pretty neat little package, when you thought about it.

Jim gave one final knock on his roommate's door. "OK, I'm going now. You gonna be OK?" Jim called to the occupant. At first there was no answer, but then the door slowly opened, and Blair slipped out. He immediately closed the door behind him, as if hiding something. Jim figured his partner was breaking the House Rules again, and had a sandwich or something in there. Jim didn't approve of food any place but in the kitchen; it would attract roaches.

Ellison grinned down at Blair, who was staring at him kind of funny. "You hiding something from me Chief?" Jim teased, grinning as he heard his partner's heartbeat speed up. Yes, there was definitely something going on in that room. But Jim didn't really care; he had other things to worry about.

"I've gotta get going. You sure you don't want to come along?" Jim had turned and was headed toward the front door, Blair trailing behind.

"No, man, really. I just.... " Blair's voice broke off, and Jim turned to look at him. The young man was staring at the floor. As Jim came forward in concern, Blair lifted his head and looked up at his partner. "I...I...hope you have a good time," he said quietly.

Jim smiled and patted Blair on the shoulder. Then was surprised as the young man suddenly wrapped his arms around Jim and hugged him.

"What's this about, Chief? I'm only gonna be gone two days!" Jim chuckled, patting him on the back. This was affectionate, even for Blair.

Blair drew back, and quickly turned to go back to his room. "I know, I know...I'm sorry. It's just... the thing with Zeller, you know. Last time we were separated, I thought I'd never see you again." He stopped at the door to his room to look at Jim, and smiled a little, reassuringly.

"I'll be fine. You have a good time, hear?" With that, he slipped into his room and closed the door.

Jim stared after him. There was something going on, no doubt about it. He started to step toward Blair's room again, but stopped. *No...no... butt out Ellison. If he wants your help he'll ask for it.* Thus decided, Jim picked up his bags, grabbed his keys, and headed out the door.

"Bye Blair! See you in two!" Jim called, and was gone.

As the sounds of Jim's footsteps faded, Blair stepped out of his room and crossed to go out onto the balcony. He ducked down as he peered over the railing down at Jim, who was getting into the Ford. After his partner had pulled away and vanished around the corner, Blair got to his feet and returned to his room. He emerged carrying two suitcases, and wearing his backpack. He set the suitcases by the door, and crossed the room to pick up the telephone. He dialed, waited a moment, and then spoke.

"Yeah, this is Blair Sandburg. I had reserved one of your storage facilities. I'm ready for you to come get my stuff now." He gave directions, hung up the phone, and then continued to prepare.

He had decided to stick with the decision he'd made while suffering through Zeller's toxin. He could no longer put his friend and partner at risk, as he had been doing in the past. Jim would be better off with a new partner.

*But you're his Guide!* said his inner voice. Blair stopped where he stood, holding a box of his belongings. True, he was Jim's Guide, and according to his own notes, a Sentinel couldn't function to his full capacity without his Guide.

But, Blair reasoned, Jim had gotten by without him before; he'd be able to do it again. Plus, with a new partner, Jim wouldn't have to constantly risk his own life to keep him safe. *A real partner.* Blair thought. *A cop*, that's the partner Jim should have, that he deserved. He sighed. *Not a pain in the ass anthropologist who's always in trouble.*

Having moved all the boxes of his belongings near the front door for the storage guys, Blair stood in what used to be his room. It looked so bare! He hadn't realized how much the room had meant to him until he saw it empty. He wondered if Jim would be able to find another roommate who would put up with his House Rules.

In the kitchen, Blair got a piece of paper and pen from the counter and sat down at the table, beginning to write. This was the part he'd really been dreading; trying to explain to Jim why he was leaving. It was painful, very painful, but he refused to just walk out with no explanation.

After beginning and stopping several times, Blair finally managed to get down everything he wanted to say to his partner and his friend. He was in tears as he read it back to himself. Satisfied, he left the "Dear Jim" letter propped up on the table, where'd his partner would be sure to see it when he returned from his trip.

There was a knock at the door, and Blair opened it, ushering in the two burly men from the storage place. He helped them carry boxes downstairs and load them into their truck. As the last box was taken, Blair stood in the doorway, suitcases and backpack in hand, taking one last look at the place he'd called home for the last year or so. He sighed, and slowly walked out, closing and locking the door behind him.

* * * * * * *

Two days later, Jim Ellison stood in the doorway of Blair's room, staring numbly at the absence of his friend's trademark mess. He'd come into the apartment minutes ago, knowing immediately that something wasn't right; he hadn't detected Sandburg's "scent". At first he'd been alarmed; Blair had to have been gone at least a day for his scent to diminish so completely.

Fearing the worst, Jim had drawn his gun and begun to inspect the apartment for signs of intrusion, a struggle. His heart had skipped a beat when he'd spotted the letter on the table. A ransom note?

No, worse.

Dear Jim,

Oh, God, what do I say to you? First let me thank you with all my heart, for being the best friend I've ever had. I know I won't ever find anyone who even comes close to you. I want to make sure that you realize that this is not about you. It's about me, 100%. I'm sorry, I know you hate to hear this from me all the time, but it's really the way I feel. I cannot let you put yourself in danger for my sake any longer. The world needs you, my Sentinel friend. I can't monopolize your time any longer by constantly getting myself into these situations. You were born to protect. But to protect everyone, not just your incompetent Guide. You cannot do the job you were born to do if you have to keep rescuing me all the time.

Here, the ink had blurred. *From a tear?*, Jim thought. He'd read on, walking toward Blair's bedroom.

Jim, I know you. I know the first thing you're going to do is try and come after me. Please don't. You won't be able to find me anyway. Rest assured that I am well, and doing what I set out to do in my life. Believe me things will be better this way. Your job will be much easier without having to look out for me. You'll be a better cop. Wait and see!

Jim had to stop for second to wipe his eyes. He couldn't see to read.

Is there anything else? Geez, I thought I knew exactly what I going to say to you, but my mind seems to be blanking. I guess all I want to say is thank you. Thank you for saving my life more times than I can remember. Thank you for taking me in. Thank you for caring enough to try and teach me those stupid House Rules! And yes Jim, they are stupid. But most of all, thank you for always being there when I needed you. Thank you for being my best friend.

Love, Chief

Jim stepped into Blair's room, sat down on the bed, and put his head in his hands.

*What the hell am I going to do, now......?*

TO BE CONTINUED