Who Says Timing Isn't Everything by Sammi M."Jim, you know that wasn't right. I wasn't expecting it from Simon," Blair Sandburg groused to his roommate and friend. "Joel, maybe. Rafe and Brown, definitely, but Simon." Shaking his head. "That was just too much."
Detective James Ellison smiled as he listened to the young man go on about his boss' role in a practical joke. As he leaned his back on the elevator wall, he could just barely make out the twinkle in the anthropologist's eyes. Sandburg was happy. No matter how much he ranted and raved, he was in seventh heaven because this little prank had let him know he was one of the guys. Jim had to admit that he himself was pretty happy, if not a little surprised, about the latest joint project of Major Crimes and a little help from the ladies of Vice. They hadn't even let him in on it.
What was more amazing was he hadn't *heard* anything! Having all five enhanced senses tended to grant him the advantage of knowing things well before they happened. That's what was so amazing about this. The group had to have been planning this for at least a week, but he hadn't heard a peep.
Simon had *definitely* been involved. How else could some of the largest departments at Central been able to plan something of this type *without* him hearing anything. Ellison chuckled as he thought of the plotting that had gone on for the little show they'd just witnessed and he was amazed that his friends would go out of their way to do something like this for the young observer. Correction: their friends. If nothing else, this prank had definitely proven that.
As the elevator continued its slow ascent to their floor, Blair only stopped his rant to take small, quick breaths. "Is it my fault Kerrie liked me so much she based one of her dances off my life and look? Nooo. I mean, it was flattering and all but I had nothing to do with it. Of course, the guys didn't hear me when I tried to discourage her. They only heard her going on and on about how she had to go to three shops just to find the right 'Blair curls.' Life is just not fair."
The elevator finally stopped and Ellison grabbed his opportunity. "Keep griping for a couple of more minutes, Chief, so I can be thoroughly convinced you didn't enjoy our little show." As they stepped off the metal box, Blair seemed ready to convince his partner that he was righteously indignant when he noticed Jim cocking his head in his classic "I'm-listening-to-something-only-dogs-should-be-able-to-hear" pose. "Sandburg, did you by some chance leave something simmering on the stove and the TV on?"
"Uh, no. Why?"
"Cause if you didn't, then we have ourselves a little visitor who's made him or herself very comfortable."
"Yeah, but isn't that a little *too* comfortable, even for a burglar?" The younger man asked as they slowly and quietly made their way to the closed door of the loft they shared. "I mean, what could possibly have been going through his head, 'Oh, I think I'll break into this loft and watch a little quality programming while I cook for the owners so they won't be really upset at loosing most of their stuff.' Get real, Ellison. It's probably just Naomi. She does have a key and she did say she'd be in this area."
"Not the right scent, Sandburg, and I definitely don't see Naomi as the type to watch reruns of The Lawrence Welk Show. And since when has she had a key?" Jim held up his hand to stop his partner from answering as they halted right outside their door. "Okay. I'm only picking up one heartbeat and it seems to be coming from the sofa," he whispered as he pulled out his gun. "I want you to stay behind me until I let you know differently." Watching the head hesitantly nod, he pinned the younger man with a look. "I mean it, Sandburg!" Blair nodded and Jim focused his attention back on what was on the other side of the door.
The detective centered himself and as gracefully as a panther, opened the door and leveled his gun on the unsuspecting occupant lounging on the sofa.
As the would-be-burglar stood, Jim found himself almost zoning on the sight before him. If it hadn't been for the small hand of his partner tethering him to the present, he probably would have and that could have been dangerous considering what they could be facing.
A petite, café-au-lait young woman with long, brown curls midway down her back and his favourite apron wrapped nearly twice around her stared at him with a mischievous grin. *Sandburg was right; this has got to be one weird burglar.* "Drop whatever you're holding and raise your hands where I can see them."
The woman complied with a wink and a smile. *Strange behaviour for someone who just broke into my home,* Jim thought. He was further baffled by the obvious absence of any fear coming from the woman. *Something's not right. She's just too sure of herself.* He quickly scanned the loft again in search of any accomplices lying in wait for him and his guide.
"Ummm, I hate to bother you while you're contemplating my being a hardened criminal and all, but I'd really like to lower my hands and get back to beating my cake batter or else you won't have any strawberry delight cake to go with dinner."
Two things happened as soon as she finished speaking. The first was Jim's hand, which amazingly held his gun, dropping at the same time and rate as his jaw. The other was Blair popping out from behind his Blessed Protector and staring at the girl with total and complete shock. "Omigod! Schuyler?!"
Trying her best to contain her giggles, the girl bowed to the men and answered cheekily, "In the flesh. Bet you weren't expecting to see me any time soon, huh H.B.?"
Jim Ellison found himself awakening from his stunned shock just in time to grab his guide from bounding over to the yet-unidentified girl. "Hold up there, Chief. You're not going anywhere until I know who the hell this is and what the hell she's doing making herself comfortable in my home."
"Relax, Jim," Blair beamed. "She's harmless ... for the most part." While the older man digested this bit of non-information, his partner easily sidestepped him and quickly covered the distance separating him and the girl. "Oh, Snip, you look good." He wrapped her in his arms and hugged her just as tightly as she hugged him. "I didn't know how much I missed you until now, but boy have I."
"Same here, H.B. Same here."
"Okay, that's enough of the Cascade Reunion Special. Would someone please tell me what's going on?"
Blair turned and re-focused on his roommate and noticed how quickly the other man was to losing his temper. *Better nip this one in the bud now.* "Sorry, man. It was just that I was totally blown away with seeing her after all this time, I just completely ... ." Blair stopped as he noticed the storm clouds over Jim's head increasing. He returned his gaze to the girl hoping he could defuse this situation quickly and with as little mess as possible. "Uhhh, Schuy, this is my partner and roommate, Jim Ellison. He's a *detective* in the Major Crimes Division of the Cascade PD, remember? And, I don't really think he appreciates your "breaking into" the place." He paused, took a deep breath and then addressed the jaw-clencher. "Jim, I'd like for you to meet Ms. Schuyler Symmonds Sandburg, my ..."
"Sandburg?" Jim interrupted rather harshly.
Nervously, Blair nodded. With the glare his sentinel was sending his way, he almost took a step back. But then, he felt the smaller, warm hand of the girl clasp his hand and he found the strength to continue. "Yeah, Sandburg. She's my ..."
Before he could continue, Schuyler released his hand and moved forward extending her own to the confused man. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Detective. Blair's told me a lot about you." She grinned and quirked her head at the curly-haired anthropologist. "Obviously he hasn't done the same about me since you seem absolutely clueless that I'm his sister."
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