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‘I close my eyes

Only for a moment

And the moment’s gone

All my dreams

Pass before my eyes a curiosity

Dust in the wind

All they are is dust in the wind’

Blair Sandburg closed his eyes and tried to steel himself against the memories battering his mind. He knew it would take no urging for him to turn around and walk out of the room before the press conference began.

He remembered that awful day in the precinct when Jim had told him that he’d lost faith in him after learning about Alex.

"I don’t know if I can get past this. To me, it was a real breach of trust," he’d said.

Now, he had betrayed him again. Blair cast his mind back, trying to isolate the moment when he had lost track of his friendship, when his research had become more important than his bond with Jim. When Jim had learnt of Alex’s presence in Cascade, Blair had reasoned that he had kept her existence to himself, biding his time so that the two Sentinels could meet in a controlled environment.

In a sense, it was true, there were no precedents here, he’d never imagined discovering one Sentinel, let alone two. Examining his conscience though, he knew he had been overwhelmed at that very notion and had clutched the secret to him jealously, like a child with a new toy.

"Idiot," he berated himself, kicking at the leg of his desk.

‘Same old song

Just a drop of water in an endless sea

All we do, crumbles to the ground

Though we refuse to see

Dust in the wind

All we are is dust in the wind’

Jim had felt so betrayed and threatened then, that he had kicked Blair out of the loft and out of his life. Blair knew that this final act, exposing his partner’s Sentinel abilities to the world, whether of his own making or not, could be the final nail in the coffin of his friendship with Jim.

He took a deep breath and swallowed convulsively past the lump in his throat. He may have lost track of his friend before, now he knew there were no choices to be made. It was simply something that had to be done. Regaining his partner’s trust and friendship no longer entered into it. He realized with a startling clarity that the words he had said to Jim so long ago meant more than even he knew then.

"It’s about friendship. I just didn’t get it before."

Jim’s sentinel ability meshed perfectly with his abilities as his guide. It wasn’t about The Sentinel needing a Guide; it was all about Jim Ellison needing Blair Sandburg as his guide. They were the yin and yang, opposites that complemented the other half and made a whole. He laughed a little hysterically as the final piece of the jigsaw slotted into place.

This was where it had always been destined to end for Blair Sandburg, Shaman of the great city and guide to James Ellison, The Sentinel.

‘Don’t hang on

Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky

It slips away

And all your money won’t another minute buy

Dust in the wind

All we are is dust in the wind.’

There was a soft rap at the door.

"They’re ready for you, Mr. Sandburg."

Blair nodded and after taking a final, long look around at where the journey had begun, he strode from the room.

"You should begin by listening to the hearts of others." – the wonderful Gabe – "Night Shift."

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