December 23rd 7:55 PM
//Friends and relations send salutations
Just as sure as the stars shine above//
By the time Jim reached the restaurant, he was already twenty minutes late. He felt somewhat foolish carrying in the large, brightly wrapped box, but it couldn't be helped. The past week had been so busy for both Ellisons that they had barely been able to find a single night where they could share a simple dinner out.
Taking a minute to check his heavy coat, Jim moved forward to the maitre'd's station and quickly scanned the dimly lit dining room. The Sentinel easily spotted his younger brother at a small table by the front windows. With a shake of his head at the tuxedo clad host, Jim made his way towards Steven.
Surprisingly, the younger Ellison was casually dressed in wool slacks, sweater, and a sports coat rather than his normal expensive designer suit. Steven smiled as he saw his brother approaching, and Jim did his honest best to put a cheerful expression on his face. 'The happy face must need a little work,' the detective thought to himself as the younger man's grin faded slightly into a look of concern.
"Hey Jim. Is something wrong? I was worried when you were late," Steven inquired.
A huge sigh escaped as Jim found his seat. In order to buy a few seconds of time to compose his thoughts, the Sentinel leaned over and set the present he was holding in the windowsill. Once the action was completed, he steeled his courage and spoke softly. "There was a problem with Sandburg's ticket. They overbooked the flight, and well, when the music stopped he was left without a chair."
The look of sorrowful compassion on Steven's face meant the world to the Sentinel. His brother knew how much Jim had been looking forward to Blair's visit. "Oh Jim, I'm so sorry," Steven said softly. "But I wouldn't worry just yet. They always overbook flights at this time of year. I'm sure that they'll put him on a later flight, if not tonight, then tomorrow. Besides, if he's smart, he'll raise a hell of a stink about getting bumped. If you scream loud enough when that happens, the airlines will usually compensate with a free ticket."
Jim knew that Steven was doing his best to cheer him up, and he appreciated the effort. "It's not that simple, Steven. I don't know if you heard or not yet, but they had a plane make an emergency landing at Dulles, and it closed off one of the runways. They're working as fast as they can, but it's caused a hell of a lot of problems. The airlines are rerouting what they can, but the long and the short of it is basically Sandburg is screwed."
"Come on, Jim. A little optimism here. This is Blair we're talking about..."
"My point exactly! Jesus, doesn't anything ever go smoothly for him?" Jim interrupted with a burst of emotion. The detective's frustration was plainly evident not only on his face, but his tone as well.
Steven rolled his eyes, as if seeking divine intervention for patience. "No, what I was going to say, before I was so rudely interrupted," he said with a grin to take the sting out of his exasperated tone, "was that even though Blair seems to get into trouble easily, he has more luck than anyone I've ever seen when it comes to getting out of it."
Jim couldn't help but chuckle at the truth in the comment. Despite himself, the Sentinel relaxed just a little. Blair said earlier that he would call back when he knew anything more definite about possible flights. Until he called, there was nothing Jim could do to change the situation. Besides, it wasn't fair to take his frustration out on Steven.
"Alright. I'll try not to worry until there's something to worry about," Jim said with a forced smile. "So, are you all set for Vermont?" His younger brother was headed out to a ski lodge to share the holiday with a group of close friends. With the exception of last year, Steven always spent his Christmases and New Year's in New England hitting the slopes. The Sentinel had been surprised a few weeks ago when his younger brother had somewhat shyly asked if it would upset Jim if he went away again this year. Although the detective was a little disappointed that Steven didn't want to spend the holidays with him, for the most part Jim was ecstatic that he would have an entire week alone with Blair.
When that particular memory came up, so did the hurt that had been with the Sentinel since his Guide called an hour ago. It took a Herculean effort to drive back the depressing thoughts that were rapidly encroaching on him, but by sheer force of will, Jim managed to keep his concentration on the conversation as they ordered and ate. By the time they ordered dessert, the detective realized that he was enjoying the meal in spite of himself.
Both Ellisons stopped talking as the waiter poured coffee into their waiting cups. When he departed, Steven leaned down and produced a large shopping bag from somewhere under the table. In an attempt at levity, the younger man made a production out of pulling two of the three festively wrapped boxes from the bag; and with a flourish, he presented the larger package to his brother. "Open this one first."
In order to make a little room on the table, the detective moved both his coffee and dessert plate out of the way. Jim watched Steven stifle a laugh as he meticulously and carefully unwrapped the gift by running his fingers under the seams of the paper. The box bore the logo of one of the more upscale men's shops in the mall, one that Jim couldn't afford to shop at frequently on a detective's salary. Inside, the Sentinel found a beautiful wool sweater in a soothing cream color. "This is great, Steven. Thank you," Jim exclaimed as he held the garment up to get a better look at it. The soft texture of the fabric felt exquisite to his enhanced sense of touch, and the style was exactly what he liked.
"You're welcome, but you're not done yet. Here," Steven said as he handed the smaller box to his brother to unwrap. Like the first package, the Sentinel took his time opening it. "Steven?" Jim asked hesitantly as he opened the brochures the box contained.
"I know you said you didn't mind, but I felt bad about going away for the holidays this year," Steven explained, holding up a hand to forestall the protest he knew his brother would make at the last comment. "Anyway, I booked a vacation for us this summer; you, me, and Blair. It's a week in a cabin outside of Aspen. I heard from a friend of mine that they've got everything there -- fishing, hiking, canoeing -- whatever you feel like doing. Everything is included; tickets, food, supplies, and transportation once we're there."
Jim's jaw hung open in amazement. "Steven...this is...this is too much," the detective said uncomfortably.
Shaking his head in disagreement, the younger Ellison braced himself for the battle he knew was coming. "Jim, listen to me. Please," he added when his brother tried to interrupt. "I know what you're thinking, but please let me do this. It's important to me. Having you back in my life after so many years...well, it's something that I never thought would happen, you know? I wanted to do something where we could get away from it all, spend some real quality time together."
The impassioned plea from his younger brother hit home with Jim. It had been over twenty years since they had taken more than a weekend camping trip together; and truth be told, the detective found himself genuinely looking forward to spending the time with Steven. As he looked back down at the brochure, his brother's words came back to him, causing his head to shoot up in surprise. "Wait a minute, did you say this trip was for you, me, and Blair?" he asked cautiously.
Nodding his head, Steven answered. "Yes. I booked the trip in late May, when Blair is between semesters. I hope that's alright. I mean, I assumed that it would be alright with you. Unless you don't want him to come with us," he finished with a cryptic look the detective couldn't decipher.
Jim was visibly stunned that Steven wanted to include his Guide. He knew that the two of them had become good friends over the past two years, but he had no idea that Steven was that close to the anthropologist. His brother's generosity, not only in paying for the expensive vacation, but also his graciousness in including Blair, left Jim speechless for a few moments. When he finally spoke, the words were clearly from his heart. "God, Steven...thank you. I don't think anyone has ever done something like this for me before."
Mentally shaking himself to clear his thoughts, Jim reached for his own present to Steven that was resting on the windowsill. It couldn't compete with a trip to Aspen, but he hoped that his brother would like it. "Here you go. It's not a vacation..."
"Shut up, Jim," Steven teased good naturally as he tore through the wrapping paper like a six year old. Inside the box was a new embroidered Jags sweatshirt, and a plain white envelope resting on top of the garment that obscured part of the logo. With a puzzled look, Steven opened it. Jim took great pleasure in the surprise and joy that graced his brother's face as he examined the ticket in his hand. "Jags vs. the Bulls? Courtside?!? Jim, how in the hell did you get these? My company couldn't even get these, and they've got a stake in the team!"
If Steven expected any answers, he was going to be sorely disappointed. Being a cop did have it's benefits every now and then. Two months ago, Jim and Ryf had been 'loaned out' to Vice, who was desperately in need of fresh faces to break up a ticket scalping ring. And best of all, Jim wasn't guilty of breaking any laws since he had paid the scalper the face value of the ticket. It was hardly Jim's fault that the man assumed he wouldn't be arrested if he agreed to the transaction.
Reaching into his jacket pocket, Jim removed the ticket for the seat next to Steven's. "I hope you don't mind sitting next to your big brother," he said with a grin, but the smile faded as he continued. "You remember how Dad always bought just two season tickets, so one of us would have to stay home for each game? Well, I just thought it might be nice if we got to go together for a change."
Tears welled up in Steven's eyes as he heard the sentiment behind Jim's gift. Their father had done so many hurtful things to them as children, and only now, almost twenty years later, were they able to start repairing the damage. "Thanks, Jim. This is...well, I guess it's my turn to be speechless."
With a wry grin, Jim couldn't help but tease. "Well, in that case, I think it was well worth it."
Laughing as he wiped the last of the excess moisture from his eyes, Steven replied. "You're killing me here."
Before Jim could respond, the maitre'd approached their table. "Excuse me, Mr. Ellison?" Jim and Steven shared a grin, but refrained from making the expected 'which one?' comment. At Steven's nod, the man continued. "I'm sorry, but your car is here, sir."
With a quick thank you, the younger man asked for the check. After several previous dinners that ended with the inevitable argument over who would get to pay, the brothers finally settled into a system that allowed both of them to keep their pride; whoever chose the restaurant picked up the check. As it was Steven's turn this time, it was his American Express Platinum card that was tucked into the leather tab cover. Once everything was taken care of, the two men stopped at the coat room to pick up their jackets before heading outside.
From the confines of his thick pockets, Jim heard the muffled sound of his cell phone ringing. The conversation with Blair was short and sweet. There was no change in his situation, and from the looks of things, there wouldn't be any in the near future. The elation the Sentinel was feeling after exchanging presents with his brother was quickly swept away by gloomy thoughts of spending the holidays alone. Encouraging his Guide not to give up, Jim said goodbye and hung up the phone.
The concerned expression came back to Steven's face as he listened in on Jim's side of the conversation. The limo that was taking him to the airport was right in front of them. "Listen, Jim, it's not too late for me to change my plans."
With a grateful smile, Jim shook his head. "Thanks, Steven, but no. Don't worry, he'll find a way to get here."
Steven was still not convinced, but he acquiesced to his brother's wishes. "I think I'll leave this with you anyway," he said as he handed over the shopping bag that contained Blair's present. "You know, you never did mention how you managed to get those tickets."
There was a smile on Jim's face as he replied. "No, I didn't, did I."
Instinctively, Steven knew that he had better chances of getting blood from a stone than he did making Jim talk, so he dropped the subject. "Merry Christmas, Jim" he said as he embraced his older brother.
"Merry Christmas. Safe trip, okay?"
With an extra squeeze, Jim let go and made his way over to his truck. He waited until the limo drove off, with Steven waving at him from the back. With a wave of his own, Jim unlocked the door and headed for home.
~~~~~~~~~~~
'Damn it all to hell,' Steven thought as he waved at his brother. He was well aware of how important this trip was to both Blair and Jim. Four months ago, the anthropologist confessed to him about sleeping with Jim the night before he left Cascade. Although Steven was stunned when he first learned about it, the more he thought he gave the matter, the less surprised he was. For some inescapable reason, it just seemed right for Jim and Blair to be together in all things, and that included being lovers.
Steven never regretted being the person Blair had chosen to confide in. Sometimes, though, having the knowledge could be frustrating, especially since the anthropologist forbade him to discuss the matter with Jim. For the past four months, Steven could do nothing but watch from a distance as his brother struggled to come to grips with the situation. He really wanted to have the freedom to try and help Jim, and had asked Blair several times for permission to be able to discuss the matter. The younger man understood why Steven kept asking, but still insisted that he keep the confidence for the time being. That request for silence effectively tied Steven's hands in the matter.
'And they were so close. Jim finally accepts it, and now this,' Steven fumed with frustration. He had gambled that Jim and Blair would officially be a 'couple' after seeing each other this week. In fact, that was the major reason he had included Blair in the Aspen trip in May. Steven didn't bother to point out to Jim that the cabin only had two bedrooms, and that thought alone brought a sly grin to his face.
'Oh well,' he sighed heavily and closed his eyes to picture the ski slopes of Vermont. The pale blue eyes shot open suddenly, and with a determined look on his face, Steven reached for the carry-on that was on the seat across from him. From it's depths, he pulled his organizer. Flipping through the pages as he reached for the car phone, Steven finally found the number he was looking for and dialed. The conversation didn't take long.
"...okay? And after that? Okay, that's great thank you."
The corporate Lear jet was looming in the distance as Steven rushed to find the second number that he needed. It took less than three minutes to complete the call.
Twenty minutes later, Steven was enjoying a glass of brandy, the sole passenger on the plane as it took off from the private airfield. In his hand was the Jags ticket that Jim had given him earlier, and on his face was a smile that could have lit up half of Cascade.
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