Disclaimer: UPN and Pet Fly Productions own all rights to "The Sentinel" and characters. No copyright infringement is intended. No money is exchanging hands. This was written purely for fun.

I asked permission from Mercury to use this title, since it resembles one of hers. Thanks, Mercury! Maybe we'll be able to come up with some other phrases to describe what Blair is not. <g> Though I think we can agree on what he actually is. <bg>

Warnings/Ratings: This is a missing scene from "Sweet Science" and contains spoilers for that episode. Not beta'd, so beware. Rated PG.

Feedback welcome at TateWG@aol.com

You Are Not A Police Negotiator
by Tate

The ambulance finally arrived to take Jamie. Sandburg, who'd been comforting Sharita after the young man lost consciousness, returned to my side once she'd left to the hospital. I couldn't ignore his slouched gait. The kid felt responsible for this, even though he'd tried hard to prevent it. He'd been willing to give his life to prevent it.

"They say he's going to be okay," he said, looking up at me.

I nodded and put a hand on his shoulder. "We'll be in tomorrow with a statement," I told Rafe as I steered Blair toward the truck.

"Sure, Ellison," Rafe replied. "Later, Sandburg."

"See ya, Rafe," Blair said softly, offering a short wave to the young detective as we passed.

I didn't take my hand off Sandburg's back until we were at the passenger door. I needed to physically feel his presence. I needed to know that Jamie hadn't taken him away. It was irrational, and I knew it, but I couldn't shake the earlier scene from my memory.

Blair had gotten passed me in the hallway. I wanted to reach for him, drag him back, but a sudden movement could have startled Jamie. His gun was pointed at my partner's chest. I couldn't take a chance with Blair's life. Instead, I let him step even closer. My jaw tightened at the memory, and I could hear Sandburg's words as though they'd just been spoken.

"I'll go out with you, all right? If I go out with you, they'll have to shoot me, too."

I couldn't stop myself from shouting at Sandburg to get back. Jamie only became more agitated, jabbing the gun toward Blair, yelling at him to back away. I was surprised I could hear Blair's heart racing over the sound of my own. Once in arm's reach, I couldn't resist catching the kid's jacket and pulling him closer. And when Jamie made his decision to make a break for it, I put out a hand to stop my overzealous partner from going after him and making good on his promise.

Back in the present, I unlocked his door, and walked around, waiting until we were both settled in the cab to start talking. "You were pretty amazing back there, Chief." I turned to gauge Blair's reaction to my declaration.

All he did was shrug. His thoughts were probably occupied with the wounded younger brother of his deceased friend.

"Really, you handled yourself well. You thought quickly and spoke evenly. You offered him a way out." I paused for effect. "I don't ever want you to do that again."

He turned to face me, his expression puzzled. "What?"

I continued, "You are not a police negotiator, Chief. Jamie was desperate. He could have shot you. Hell, you were right about the force outside, too. You would have been in danger if he'd taken you up on it. You could have been caught in a crossfire."

"I had to, Jim," Blair replied, softly. "I don't believe Jamie's a killer. I had to do what I could to help him out. It's the least I could to for his brother."

"I'm not questioning your motives here, only your methods, Sandburg."

He sighed. When his spoke again, he changed his voice as he mimicked, "You are not a cop, you are not a police negotiator . . . what's next, Jim? Huh? What's . . . ?" His voice trailed. His face crumbled. Sandburg put his hands up, hiding behind them.

I undid my seatbelt and slid a little closer to him. "Hey, I'm sorry." I touched his upper arm. "You scared the hell out of me back there. You can understand that, can't you?"

He nodded. I heard his breath pass heavily through his hands. I felt for him. This was more than just a case. It was personal, as personal as it had been for me when Danny Cho died. Only this time, we were trying to clear the victim's brother. Sandburg had shown such faith in me throughout our partnership; the least I could do was return the favor.

"We'll clear Jamie, Chief," I promised, squeezing his arm.

Blair dropped his hands and looked at me with sad, tired eyes. He smiled, weakly. "Thanks, Jim."

I released his arm. "Don't mention it, Tiger," I said, nudging his chin with a fist.

He threw a mock punch to my stomach that I easily deflected with my hand. Smiling, I slid back behind the wheel and started the truck. "We'll call the hospital when we get home to make sure Jamie's all right. Then go visit him first thing in the morning."

"Maybe he'll be ready to talk," Blair said.

"If not, I'll have to use the sentinel mind-trick," I joked.

He laughed. "Sentinel mind-trick? You're such a goof, man."

Only for you, kid, I thought, only for you.

THE END