Cascade PD Building - Washington State
"Ellison. Sandburg. My office now," Simon bellowed from his doorway.
With a shrug and a look at each other, they left the case file they'd been going over on Jim's desk and obeyed Simon's command. Inside Simon gestured for them to sit. "Close the door first, Blair."
/Oh no,/ he silently groaned as he closed the door. /He only calls me Blair when he's got something bad to tell me./
Simon waited until he was seated before speaking. "The Police Chief has just informed me that the PD will be hosting a conference here in Cascade next month. He has also informed me that both of you will be attending.
"What?" Jim exploded, jumping out of his chair, while Blair remained frozen. "You've got to be kidding, Simon. It's barely been a year since that whole fiasco with the press conference. I thought part of the deal was we wouldn't be attending any conferences for at least two or three years so things could die down a bit." The agitated man paced the office, his glare never leaving Simon. "Hell, the Police Chief is the one who came up with that idea. What the hell is he thinking?"
"Jim, calm down," Simon tried to speak as soothingly as possible, worried that Blair hadn't said a word, or moved a muscle for that matter.
"Calm down? How am I supposed to calm down when they're trying to throw Blair to the wolves? Didn't we sit down and make that damn deal, with all its rules and restrictions, to prevent stuff like this from happening?"
"God dammit, Jim..."
"It's all right, Jim," Blair spoke calmly from his seat, even as he nervously rubbed his hands on his jeans. "It's not like Simon asked for this."
Jim looked at his Guide, some of his anger turning to concern for the younger man. Finally he sat back down, sighing in resignation.
Simon managed to hide his look of relief. Since the whole incident with the press conference and the subsequent breakdown of the relationship between the two friends a year ago, they had slowly worked on rebuilding the shattered trust and friendship. It took a while but they finally came to terms with each other and forged a stronger relationship than before. One of the side effects was Jim was even more overprotective of Blair than before. Luckily, he also listened more to Blair, who was frequently the only one able to calm him.
"Now, if you're ready to listen to me I'll finish what I was trying to say. The Police Chief told me that he has been following Sandburg's progress, both in the Academy and here in Major Crimes. He is aware that there has been problems with other officers and cadets." Simon glared at Jim when he started to say something. "However, he felt it would be inappropriate if Cascade's 1997 Cop of the Year, who still has the best bust rate, was not in attendance. He also wants Blair to attend the profiling seminars. Considering your degrees in Anthropology and Psychology, your help on the Lash case, and your Academy aptitude testing, he thinks that profiling is the direction you should take in your career in the PD. I'm inclined to agree with the Chief on that." He rubbed a tired hand over his face before continuing. "We could use a skilled profiler. You'd still be Jim's partner, but you'd also be asked to consult on some other cases. Profilers also get a lot less publicity. I told the Police Chief I wasn't going to force either of you to go, but I think it might not be such a bad idea."
"Forget it. We're not going."
"I'll even give you guys a couple of days off right after the conference; barring any major breaks in a current case."
"The answer is still no." Jim stalked out of Simon's office.
"We'll think about it," Blair said, before hurrying after him. Blair caught up to him by the elevator, nodding briefly to the two Homicide Detectives also waiting.
"We are not going to that conference, Chief. I don't know why you told Simon we'd think about it. We're not going. End of story." Jim growled, his jaw clenched so tightly the words were barely intelligible.
"Don't you think I should have a say in the matter since I'm the one it affects most? If I'm okay with it, what's the problem?"
"What's the problem? Dammit, Sandburg, after everything that's happened over the past year the last thing I'd expect you to want to do is go to some conference where not only will you have to listen to shit from our own guys, but from other cities as well! I'm not going to let you suffer through that." Deciding the elevator was taking too long, he turned and headed for the stairs.
"Jim, I'm a big boy. I can make these decisions for myself," Blair growled, following him.
Before the door had even closed behind them, one of the detectives commented, "Sounds like Ellison and his boytoy, Sanddump, are having a lover's quarrel."
The other detective looked at him funny. "What makes you say that?"
"Come on. The little shit goes on national TV and admits to being a liar and a fraud, and then they let him become a cop. He has to be letting Ellison fu...oomph," he grunted as about 250 pounds of enraged Sentinel came hurtling out of the stairwell and slammed him up against the wall.
"My partner and I are not a subject that you know anything about." Jim growled his grip tightening and pushing the man further up the wall. "I suggest you stick to things you do know. Like how far up your a..."
"Jim, man, he's not worth it. He's just a jerk spouting off. You know Simon's gonna be pissed if you punch any more people this week," Blair said soothingly, his hand on Jim's forearm. "C'mon, let's go get lunch."
With one last shove and a growl Jim dropped the detective and stalked onto the open elevator. As the door closed, Jim said, "We're not going to that conference."