New fic: The Sentinel: Blue Jungles Rated PG-13 Kid-Fic
Title: Blue Jungles
Author: Lady Taevyn
Email: willow_faerie_20@yahoo.com
Fandom: The Sentinel
Genre: Gen, Kid fic
Chapter name/number: Zoo Trips and Meeting the Panther
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Off-screen mentions of possible child abuse. Blair is four years old in this story, Jim is cannon age.
Wordcount: ~2800
Author's Note: Must give thanks to JaneDavitt for keeping my facts straight. You Rock!
Jim pulled away from the office complex wondering at the futility of it all. He was losing his mind, simple as that; but every doctor, every ‘specialist’ left him with more questions then answers. Take this latest doctor for example, she’d suggested hypnotherapy and he’d agreed to it, he really was losing his mind. It had been an experience; he was in the jungle but everything was blue, and Incacha, the tribal shaman from Jim’s time in Peru, was there telling him he would have to find his own way. Something about his guide being born out of time, Jim didn’t put much stock in the spiritual side of things. So he would have to figure out what was going on with his senses without help. To put it simply Jim Ellison was a mess. He’d even gone so far as to consider some quality time with his 9 mil. He wouldn’t do it though, the Ellison men were made of stronger stuff then that. He was looking forward to going home; his loft was his refuge, the one place where he had a modicum of control. Jim breathed a sigh of relief as he made his way onto Prospect Ave; shutting off the engine of the truck he sat and listened as it cooled. He hoped the rain would let up eventually, but that seemed like too much to ask for; so he made a mad dash for the door. He shook the majority of the water off of himself as he pulled his mail out of the box and made his way up the steps. He had gotten halfway up before he realized he was being watched. A child was sitting, unobtrusively, on the platform that lead to the second floor apartments. Jim stopped and watched the kid for a minute, they (he couldn’t place the gender, lots of dark curly hair made it indistinguishable) were talking quietly to a stuffed wolf. It took several seconds before Jim noticed that his constant migraine was fading, he figured it was because he was home until he listened closely to what the child was saying.
“Just breathe through the pain Pup, think of the blue jungle and let everything else go. You’ll feel better soon.” The kid looked up finally aware that they were being watched. “Hi, I’m Blair. What’s your name? Was I talking too loud, I’m sorry if I was.” The kid was standing now and gently placed the stuffed animal on the knapsack he’d been perched on.
“How’d you know about the jungle?” Jim asked sitting heavily on the step trying to get down to the kids eye level.
“Pup takes me there when I sleep.” Blair motioned back to the wolf. “Do you know if the jungle really is blue? That’d be cool.” He stopped talking almost as quickly as he started knowing the ‘shut up kid’ was right around the corner.
“Shouldn’t you be eating dinner? Where are your parents?” Jim asked wondering at the audacity of people who would let their young child run around unescorted.
“No’mi made mac’n’cheese ‘fore she and Mr. Jerkface went out. I can heat it back up later when I get hungry. I’m almost 5 you know, I can fend for myself. You never telled me your name, I shouldn’t talk to you no more.” Blair said quickly as if he’d just remembered the bit of advice.
“Oh, right. My name’s Jim; and I’m a police officer.” Jim replied pulling his badge out of his pocket to show the boy. Blair took the badge with both hands holding it almost reverently, Jim was a protector; what had the man in his dream said about that… something about finding the protector of the city and grounding him. Yeah that was it, whatever that meant. After inspecting the shield and tracing the letters and numbers Blair handed it back to Jim. The overhead light reflected the gold of the badge and Jim was caught by it. He knew logically that he should just blink and snap out of it, but he couldn’t get his body to cooperate; before he knew it he was floating on the reflection of light into gold. Then from out of nowhere a worried voice pierced the solitude.
“Mister, hey, mister. Jim” He was being shaken; pulling back from the void Jim took a deep breath and looked into the saddest pair of blue eyes he’d ever seen. “You scared me Jim. You wasn’t breathin’, and I didn’t know what to do.”
“Sorry about that chief. But you did help, see I’m here, I’m ok.” Jim said taking a few more deep breaths. That was the quickest he’d ever been pulled out of one of his episodes, and he didn’t feel shaky or nauseous at all. Jim made passing note of the fact that Blair was still holding onto his shirt. It was almost as if the kid was a grounding force. Which was weird, because he was four; what was even weirder was how protective of the kid Jim felt. He wondered again about the kid’s mom, but put that aside as Blair was talking to him and whatever he was saying was of utmost importance.
“… So anyways like I asked before, do you know if the jungle is blue or not?” Blair finished impatiently.
“Sorry to disappoint you chief, but the jungle’s green.” Jim said watching the boy’s face fall from happy to perplexed. “Why’s it so important for the jungle to be blue?”
“Well because that’s how it always is when I go there with Pup. That means there’s prolly no temple there too, right?” Blair seemed angry that his dreams would lie to him.
“The last time I was in the jungle there was a temple, and it looked like it had been there for a while, so I’m sure it’s probably still there.” Jim said and even if it hadn’t been the truth he would have said it, just to see Blair’s face light up. What an odd child, Jim thought, dreaming of blue jungles. What did that say about him though, if he saw them when under hypnosis?
“You were in the jungle. That’s so cool; I’m gonna tell everyone I know that my friend Jim went to the jungle.” Blair darted over to his knapsack and started rummaging through it. Jim figured now was as good a time as any to make his escape. With the kid distracted he could get away with little fuss.
“It was nice to meet you Blair, but you should probably go on home now.” Jim said standing up and dusting the seat of his pants off. “I’m in # 307, if you need anything.” Jim wasn’t sure why he’d volunteered that piece of information; it would be really weird for the kid to start hanging around his place.
“Ok, thanks Jim; I hope your head feels better soon.” Blair said bending his head over a small book. Jim didn’t remember complaining of his head hurting; maybe the kid assumed that it would after his ‘episode’.
Jim didn’t see Blair for several days, and he wasn’t sure whether to be glad or upset by that. He had been married for all of 10 minutes but kids never came up, which as it turned out was a good thing. His own childhood wasn’t one he’d wish on anyone so it was probably for the best that he didn’t have any kids to inflict his father’s form of parenting on. It had been a hell of a few days from terrorists taking over the police station to dealing with his overactive senses Jim wanted nothing more then to relax. He was debating heating up some chicken broth (again, he was really sick of not being able to eat his favorite foods) when a small knock pulled him out of his reverie. It wasn’t his captain; Banks would have called first, and there was no way it was Carolyn; she’d sworn him off after their disastrous dinner fiasco. Jim didn’t often stretch his senses too far, knowing he’d black out on something or other, but in the evenings he’d taken to checking on the other residents of the building. The only way he was going to learn to control and eventually ‘shut them off’ was to use the senses; plus Incacha had come to him in a dream and told him he was the ‘Protector of the City’, so he was just doing his job. He considered ignoring the knocking when it sounded again along with a whispered plea.
“Oh man, I thought his truck was outside. He’s gotta be home, I really gotta pee. Why’d No’mi lock the door? I should’a gone before I left Day-Care.” The plaintive begging was Jim’s undoing. He scrambled himself off the couch and quickly made his way to the door.
“What’s up chief?” Jim asked feigning surprise at seeing the boy.
“Um, can I use your bathroom? Ours is… broke. Yeah, it’s broke and I really gotta go.” Blair was glad he could think on his feet.
“Sure buddy, all these apartments are set up the same, so you know where to go.” Jim moved aside and chuckled to himself as the kid rushed past him. Jim was sure he’d see the kid’s knapsack sitting nearby, and he wasn’t disappointed to see it and the wolf lying haphazardly against the wall next to the door frame. So he was locked out of his mom’s apartment with no hope of getting back in anytime soon. Jim was half tempted to file a report with Children’s Services but today could have been a fluke.
“Thanks Jim. I’m gonna go now, sorry if I bothered you.” Blair said coming out of the bathroom looking as if he was headed for the gallows.
“Hold up a minute chief, did you tell your mom you were gonna come up here and use my bathroom?” Jim asked wondering how far he’d have to push before he’d get the truth out of the boy.
“Yeah, but her and Mr. Jerkface were going to a party or something, so…” Blair left off not sure how to cover his tracks.
“I was just about to order a pizza, and I doubt I’d be able to eat the whole thing. I’m guessing you’ll be having mac’n’cheese again?” At Blair’s nod Jim continued, “So I was thinking why don’t you hangout here and help me eat the pizza.” When Blair’s face lit up it made Jim’s week. While they waited for the pizza to arrive Jim figured he’d catch the final score of the Jags game. Blair had pulled his knapsack and wolf over to the sofa and sat at the opposite end from Jim again rummaging in the bag for something. He finally pulled out a picture book and was pointing to different things explaining to the wolf quietly what they were.
“So where’d you get the wolf?” Jim asked after they were settled at the table with the box of pizza between them. He’d gotten a slice out for Blair and was debating getting one for himself. One slice shouldn’t be too bad, opening his sense of smell it seemed ok, and they had gone easy on the crushed peppers this time. As Blair told his story Jim reached into the box and grabbed a small slice.
“The Day-Care lady took us to the zoo last week and when we were in the cat enclosure one of the jaguars came up to the fence and growled at me, there was a big black panther in there and when the spotted one growled at me the black one got real mad at it. I got real scared and so Miss Jinny took me to the gift shop and bought me the wolf to protect me.” Blair finished his story and took a big bite of his pizza getting sauce all over his hands and mouth. Jim tensed at the thought of Blair getting hurt by the jag, but relaxed when he heard that the panther was there. He thought about these reactions for a second not understanding them but let it go. Blair was talking about his favorite part of the zoo. “I liked the ‘quarium best, ‘cause there was a place where you walked and the fish and stuff were swimming right over you. It was so cool.” Jim was surprised to find himself reaching for a second slice of pizza; it had been forever since he’d eaten anything more then broth and toast, or vanilla ice cream.
“Do you want another slice chief?” Jim asked seeing Blair eyeing up the box.
“I might not eat the whole thing.” He said dropping his eyes.
“That’s ok, you eat what you can and we’ll put the rest in the fridge, if you get hungry later.” Jim replied wondering what happened at home if the boy didn’t finish what was on his plate. The detectives mind whorled around too many possibilities to number, he quickly stopped that line of thought when he realized he was thinking of hurting anyone who laid a hand on Blair. The boy eventually excused himself from the table asking what to do with the uneaten portion of pizza left on his plate. They cleaned up quickly and were sitting on the couch again in no time Blair at one end again talking quietly to the wolf ‘pup’ and Jim at the other watching the news. Jim realized after a while that the boy was no longer talking and had apparently fallen asleep with his head resting on the arm of the sofa, Pup tucked securely within the circle of his little arms. Jim placed the afghan from the back of the sofa over the boy and turned the TV down automatically adjusting his hearing so it still seemed at a normal level to him. He thought about writing a note and leaving it on the door of… damn it he didn’t know the kids last name, so which apartment was he staying in. Thinking for a minute Jim placed the residents in their respective apartments: His memory flashed to an overheard conversation from several days ago. Dave Jefferies, Jim laughed quietly realizing how much Jefferies could sound like Jerkface to a four year old, especially if he was one. Anyway Jefferies had been arguing with a soft-spoken woman called… Naomi; that was it then: apartment # 205. Jim sketched out a quick note; Naomi, You locked the door before you left and Blair wasn’t home yet, so he came up to # 307. You can come and get him whenever you get home. He signed it Detective James Ellison, maybe that would bring the woman to her senses. Jim listened to Blair’s breathing and heart rate, both were deep and even with sleep. When he got to the door he extended his hearing just to make sure they weren’t already home, he heard nothing and quickly attached the note to the door.
Upon reentering his own apartment Jim automatically noted that Blair’s heart rate was way too fast; and he was muttering. When he started thrashing Jim got worried, this wasn’t a good dream. Jim knelt in front of the sofa and placed a hand on Blair’s shoulder preparing to jostle him awake. He was almost knocked back by the smell of fear radiating off the boy. What had happened to this child that would cause him to dream such terrible things? Jim wondered as he called softly to Blair.
Blair had hidden under the bed and made himself as small as he possibly could. Jerkface was still yelling at him. He hadn’t even done anything wrong. Pup was pacing in front of the bed guarding him; Blair whimpered praying Jerkface wouldn’t hurt Pup. His yelling was louder now he was getting closer; this wasn’t good. If he found Blair… suddenly there was a loud purring right in front of him. Blair’s eyes popped open and were met by bright blue eyes that belonged to a huge black panther. The panther was stretched out under the bed between Blair and the door, so that if Jerkface looked all he’d see was black. Blair relaxed immediately knowing the panther would protect him, just like it had at the zoo.
Jim noticed Blair calming and instead of shaking the boy he ran a soothing hand over the unruly curls and placed a soft kiss on the top of his head. Jim moved to the chair next to the sofa, he would sit sentinel over Blair, incase the dream got bad again.
Author: Lady Taevyn
Email: willow_faerie_20@yahoo.com
Fandom: The Sentinel
Genre: Gen, Kid fic
Chapter name/number: Zoo Trips and Meeting the Panther
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Off-screen mentions of possible child abuse. Blair is four years old in this story, Jim is cannon age.
Wordcount: ~2800
Author's Note: Must give thanks to JaneDavitt for keeping my facts straight. You Rock!
Jim pulled away from the office complex wondering at the futility of it all. He was losing his mind, simple as that; but every doctor, every ‘specialist’ left him with more questions then answers. Take this latest doctor for example, she’d suggested hypnotherapy and he’d agreed to it, he really was losing his mind. It had been an experience; he was in the jungle but everything was blue, and Incacha, the tribal shaman from Jim’s time in Peru, was there telling him he would have to find his own way. Something about his guide being born out of time, Jim didn’t put much stock in the spiritual side of things. So he would have to figure out what was going on with his senses without help. To put it simply Jim Ellison was a mess. He’d even gone so far as to consider some quality time with his 9 mil. He wouldn’t do it though, the Ellison men were made of stronger stuff then that. He was looking forward to going home; his loft was his refuge, the one place where he had a modicum of control. Jim breathed a sigh of relief as he made his way onto Prospect Ave; shutting off the engine of the truck he sat and listened as it cooled. He hoped the rain would let up eventually, but that seemed like too much to ask for; so he made a mad dash for the door. He shook the majority of the water off of himself as he pulled his mail out of the box and made his way up the steps. He had gotten halfway up before he realized he was being watched. A child was sitting, unobtrusively, on the platform that lead to the second floor apartments. Jim stopped and watched the kid for a minute, they (he couldn’t place the gender, lots of dark curly hair made it indistinguishable) were talking quietly to a stuffed wolf. It took several seconds before Jim noticed that his constant migraine was fading, he figured it was because he was home until he listened closely to what the child was saying.
“Just breathe through the pain Pup, think of the blue jungle and let everything else go. You’ll feel better soon.” The kid looked up finally aware that they were being watched. “Hi, I’m Blair. What’s your name? Was I talking too loud, I’m sorry if I was.” The kid was standing now and gently placed the stuffed animal on the knapsack he’d been perched on.
“How’d you know about the jungle?” Jim asked sitting heavily on the step trying to get down to the kids eye level.
“Pup takes me there when I sleep.” Blair motioned back to the wolf. “Do you know if the jungle really is blue? That’d be cool.” He stopped talking almost as quickly as he started knowing the ‘shut up kid’ was right around the corner.
“Shouldn’t you be eating dinner? Where are your parents?” Jim asked wondering at the audacity of people who would let their young child run around unescorted.
“No’mi made mac’n’cheese ‘fore she and Mr. Jerkface went out. I can heat it back up later when I get hungry. I’m almost 5 you know, I can fend for myself. You never telled me your name, I shouldn’t talk to you no more.” Blair said quickly as if he’d just remembered the bit of advice.
“Oh, right. My name’s Jim; and I’m a police officer.” Jim replied pulling his badge out of his pocket to show the boy. Blair took the badge with both hands holding it almost reverently, Jim was a protector; what had the man in his dream said about that… something about finding the protector of the city and grounding him. Yeah that was it, whatever that meant. After inspecting the shield and tracing the letters and numbers Blair handed it back to Jim. The overhead light reflected the gold of the badge and Jim was caught by it. He knew logically that he should just blink and snap out of it, but he couldn’t get his body to cooperate; before he knew it he was floating on the reflection of light into gold. Then from out of nowhere a worried voice pierced the solitude.
“Mister, hey, mister. Jim” He was being shaken; pulling back from the void Jim took a deep breath and looked into the saddest pair of blue eyes he’d ever seen. “You scared me Jim. You wasn’t breathin’, and I didn’t know what to do.”
“Sorry about that chief. But you did help, see I’m here, I’m ok.” Jim said taking a few more deep breaths. That was the quickest he’d ever been pulled out of one of his episodes, and he didn’t feel shaky or nauseous at all. Jim made passing note of the fact that Blair was still holding onto his shirt. It was almost as if the kid was a grounding force. Which was weird, because he was four; what was even weirder was how protective of the kid Jim felt. He wondered again about the kid’s mom, but put that aside as Blair was talking to him and whatever he was saying was of utmost importance.
“… So anyways like I asked before, do you know if the jungle is blue or not?” Blair finished impatiently.
“Sorry to disappoint you chief, but the jungle’s green.” Jim said watching the boy’s face fall from happy to perplexed. “Why’s it so important for the jungle to be blue?”
“Well because that’s how it always is when I go there with Pup. That means there’s prolly no temple there too, right?” Blair seemed angry that his dreams would lie to him.
“The last time I was in the jungle there was a temple, and it looked like it had been there for a while, so I’m sure it’s probably still there.” Jim said and even if it hadn’t been the truth he would have said it, just to see Blair’s face light up. What an odd child, Jim thought, dreaming of blue jungles. What did that say about him though, if he saw them when under hypnosis?
“You were in the jungle. That’s so cool; I’m gonna tell everyone I know that my friend Jim went to the jungle.” Blair darted over to his knapsack and started rummaging through it. Jim figured now was as good a time as any to make his escape. With the kid distracted he could get away with little fuss.
“It was nice to meet you Blair, but you should probably go on home now.” Jim said standing up and dusting the seat of his pants off. “I’m in # 307, if you need anything.” Jim wasn’t sure why he’d volunteered that piece of information; it would be really weird for the kid to start hanging around his place.
“Ok, thanks Jim; I hope your head feels better soon.” Blair said bending his head over a small book. Jim didn’t remember complaining of his head hurting; maybe the kid assumed that it would after his ‘episode’.
Jim didn’t see Blair for several days, and he wasn’t sure whether to be glad or upset by that. He had been married for all of 10 minutes but kids never came up, which as it turned out was a good thing. His own childhood wasn’t one he’d wish on anyone so it was probably for the best that he didn’t have any kids to inflict his father’s form of parenting on. It had been a hell of a few days from terrorists taking over the police station to dealing with his overactive senses Jim wanted nothing more then to relax. He was debating heating up some chicken broth (again, he was really sick of not being able to eat his favorite foods) when a small knock pulled him out of his reverie. It wasn’t his captain; Banks would have called first, and there was no way it was Carolyn; she’d sworn him off after their disastrous dinner fiasco. Jim didn’t often stretch his senses too far, knowing he’d black out on something or other, but in the evenings he’d taken to checking on the other residents of the building. The only way he was going to learn to control and eventually ‘shut them off’ was to use the senses; plus Incacha had come to him in a dream and told him he was the ‘Protector of the City’, so he was just doing his job. He considered ignoring the knocking when it sounded again along with a whispered plea.
“Oh man, I thought his truck was outside. He’s gotta be home, I really gotta pee. Why’d No’mi lock the door? I should’a gone before I left Day-Care.” The plaintive begging was Jim’s undoing. He scrambled himself off the couch and quickly made his way to the door.
“What’s up chief?” Jim asked feigning surprise at seeing the boy.
“Um, can I use your bathroom? Ours is… broke. Yeah, it’s broke and I really gotta go.” Blair was glad he could think on his feet.
“Sure buddy, all these apartments are set up the same, so you know where to go.” Jim moved aside and chuckled to himself as the kid rushed past him. Jim was sure he’d see the kid’s knapsack sitting nearby, and he wasn’t disappointed to see it and the wolf lying haphazardly against the wall next to the door frame. So he was locked out of his mom’s apartment with no hope of getting back in anytime soon. Jim was half tempted to file a report with Children’s Services but today could have been a fluke.
“Thanks Jim. I’m gonna go now, sorry if I bothered you.” Blair said coming out of the bathroom looking as if he was headed for the gallows.
“Hold up a minute chief, did you tell your mom you were gonna come up here and use my bathroom?” Jim asked wondering how far he’d have to push before he’d get the truth out of the boy.
“Yeah, but her and Mr. Jerkface were going to a party or something, so…” Blair left off not sure how to cover his tracks.
“I was just about to order a pizza, and I doubt I’d be able to eat the whole thing. I’m guessing you’ll be having mac’n’cheese again?” At Blair’s nod Jim continued, “So I was thinking why don’t you hangout here and help me eat the pizza.” When Blair’s face lit up it made Jim’s week. While they waited for the pizza to arrive Jim figured he’d catch the final score of the Jags game. Blair had pulled his knapsack and wolf over to the sofa and sat at the opposite end from Jim again rummaging in the bag for something. He finally pulled out a picture book and was pointing to different things explaining to the wolf quietly what they were.
“So where’d you get the wolf?” Jim asked after they were settled at the table with the box of pizza between them. He’d gotten a slice out for Blair and was debating getting one for himself. One slice shouldn’t be too bad, opening his sense of smell it seemed ok, and they had gone easy on the crushed peppers this time. As Blair told his story Jim reached into the box and grabbed a small slice.
“The Day-Care lady took us to the zoo last week and when we were in the cat enclosure one of the jaguars came up to the fence and growled at me, there was a big black panther in there and when the spotted one growled at me the black one got real mad at it. I got real scared and so Miss Jinny took me to the gift shop and bought me the wolf to protect me.” Blair finished his story and took a big bite of his pizza getting sauce all over his hands and mouth. Jim tensed at the thought of Blair getting hurt by the jag, but relaxed when he heard that the panther was there. He thought about these reactions for a second not understanding them but let it go. Blair was talking about his favorite part of the zoo. “I liked the ‘quarium best, ‘cause there was a place where you walked and the fish and stuff were swimming right over you. It was so cool.” Jim was surprised to find himself reaching for a second slice of pizza; it had been forever since he’d eaten anything more then broth and toast, or vanilla ice cream.
“Do you want another slice chief?” Jim asked seeing Blair eyeing up the box.
“I might not eat the whole thing.” He said dropping his eyes.
“That’s ok, you eat what you can and we’ll put the rest in the fridge, if you get hungry later.” Jim replied wondering what happened at home if the boy didn’t finish what was on his plate. The detectives mind whorled around too many possibilities to number, he quickly stopped that line of thought when he realized he was thinking of hurting anyone who laid a hand on Blair. The boy eventually excused himself from the table asking what to do with the uneaten portion of pizza left on his plate. They cleaned up quickly and were sitting on the couch again in no time Blair at one end again talking quietly to the wolf ‘pup’ and Jim at the other watching the news. Jim realized after a while that the boy was no longer talking and had apparently fallen asleep with his head resting on the arm of the sofa, Pup tucked securely within the circle of his little arms. Jim placed the afghan from the back of the sofa over the boy and turned the TV down automatically adjusting his hearing so it still seemed at a normal level to him. He thought about writing a note and leaving it on the door of… damn it he didn’t know the kids last name, so which apartment was he staying in. Thinking for a minute Jim placed the residents in their respective apartments: His memory flashed to an overheard conversation from several days ago. Dave Jefferies, Jim laughed quietly realizing how much Jefferies could sound like Jerkface to a four year old, especially if he was one. Anyway Jefferies had been arguing with a soft-spoken woman called… Naomi; that was it then: apartment # 205. Jim sketched out a quick note; Naomi, You locked the door before you left and Blair wasn’t home yet, so he came up to # 307. You can come and get him whenever you get home. He signed it Detective James Ellison, maybe that would bring the woman to her senses. Jim listened to Blair’s breathing and heart rate, both were deep and even with sleep. When he got to the door he extended his hearing just to make sure they weren’t already home, he heard nothing and quickly attached the note to the door.
Upon reentering his own apartment Jim automatically noted that Blair’s heart rate was way too fast; and he was muttering. When he started thrashing Jim got worried, this wasn’t a good dream. Jim knelt in front of the sofa and placed a hand on Blair’s shoulder preparing to jostle him awake. He was almost knocked back by the smell of fear radiating off the boy. What had happened to this child that would cause him to dream such terrible things? Jim wondered as he called softly to Blair.
Blair had hidden under the bed and made himself as small as he possibly could. Jerkface was still yelling at him. He hadn’t even done anything wrong. Pup was pacing in front of the bed guarding him; Blair whimpered praying Jerkface wouldn’t hurt Pup. His yelling was louder now he was getting closer; this wasn’t good. If he found Blair… suddenly there was a loud purring right in front of him. Blair’s eyes popped open and were met by bright blue eyes that belonged to a huge black panther. The panther was stretched out under the bed between Blair and the door, so that if Jerkface looked all he’d see was black. Blair relaxed immediately knowing the panther would protect him, just like it had at the zoo.
Jim noticed Blair calming and instead of shaking the boy he ran a soothing hand over the unruly curls and placed a soft kiss on the top of his head. Jim moved to the chair next to the sofa, he would sit sentinel over Blair, incase the dream got bad again.