By Any Other Name
Over the years, I've read a bunch of stories with Blair complaining about his nickname(s). Most recently "Purpose" by K-Lyn, if you haven't read it, do so <EG> to go with Evil Blair. That got my muse going at o' dark thirty this morning and here's what we came up with. <G> Enjoy.
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"Sandburg!" Ellison threw his hands up in frustration.
"See, Jim. That's just what I mean. I have a first name, but you never use it," Blair shook a finger in front of Jim's face.
"Chief, I…"
"There you go again. My name is Blair."
"I know that Einstein," Jim attempted death glare number three at his partner. Death glare number three was known to bring hardened criminals to their knees and make grown men cry.
Blair just rolled his eyes and continued venting his wrath. "It's really easy to say, just five little letters."
"Hey Hairboy, Jim," H said absently as he passed by the feuding partners. He was concentrating on the folder in his hands.
"Hi
"ARGH! I have a first name people," Blair growled.
"It's a military thing, Junior," Jim said. "Every one goes by last names. Less confusion. I guess I just got used to it and never got out of the habit."
"Jim, I hate to break it to you, but you're not in the military any more," Blair fumed.
"Easy Sparky, you're the one who said that the police department is a lot like the military."
"What about H? He gets to go by his first name, well… nickname."
Jim looked over at Brown. "Yup, when you're right, you're right. He's a special case, there are fifteen 'Browns' in the Department and three of them are some version of Henri. Calling H, H makes it clear who we're talking to… or about," Jim smirked.
"Okay, so say I buy in to your theory… why won't you use my name when we're at home?" Blair asked with a small pout.
"Um, force of habit," Jim offered, cringing
slightly. Great now how am I going to get out of this. He's like a dog with a bone. He's not going to understand. "How
about some lunch? I'm buying." Jim grabbed his jacket and was halfway across
the room before he stopped and looked back at his partner. "Coming?"
Blair glared at Jim and then tilted his head and really looked at his partner. Something seemed …off with the man… something more than just Blair griping about his nicknames. "Sure, I'm always up for free lunch," Blair said with a smile followed by a searching look.
****
The two men sat at a corner table in the New Age Deli, a restaurant Blair had recently discovered. The simple fact that Jim offered this location as his dining choice was ratcheting up Blair's concern dial. "What's going on here, Jim?"
"If I look around at all the evidence," Jim said just a bit sarcastically, "I'd say… lunch."
"That's not what I mean and you know it," Blair whapped Jim on the arm. "Why won't you call me by my first name? The real reason this time," Blair said gently.
"It's stupid…" Jim trailed off.
"You think my name is stupid!" Blair exclaimed.
"NO! No, Chief… um…B… Blair," Jim winced. "That's not what I meant. The reason. You'll think the reason is stupid."
"Tell me."
"Well… see… there was this dog," Jim started hesitantly.
Blair had to bite his tongue, hard to keep from asking what his name had to do with a dog.
"…and, um and a girl. They used to torment me when I was younger. They lived on either side of me. The last time was… she teased the dog and then… I got bit… several times. It wasn't that bad, not really. I just went home and figured Mom would fix it and make it better, but," Jim shrugged "she wasn't home. And she didn't come home, ever again…" Jim trailed off. "I know Mom's leaving didn't have anything to do with the dog bite, but… everything changed that day. Nothing was ever the same after that day."
"Um, Jim," Blair started tentatively. "I'm really sorry that happened to you. It would be hard to imagine a worst day, especially for a child, but I'm a bit confused too. I don't want this to sound insensitive, but what does that have to do with…" Blair trailed off as a thought hit him in the heart with all the force and devastation of a speeding bullet. "Oh crap… the dog's name was Blair. That's it, isn't it, Jim?"
Jim slumped down in his seat with a sigh and mumbled, "Her name was Blair too."
"Oh… hell. Jim, man… I don't know what to say." Blair ran a shaky hand through his hair.
"It wasn't your fault, Chief… um, B… Blair. I know that. It doesn't have anything to do with you. I don't want you to think I'm blaming you… it's just…" Jim rolled his shoulders and rotated his head trying to ease the strain of his tight neck muscles. "I almost didn't go see you that day," he blurted out, then grabbed the check and bolted to the cash register to pay for their lunch.
"Huh? What day?" Blair asked the empty table. He slowly got up, gathered their trash and dumped it all in the garbage can on his way to the door. He went outside and leaned up against the truck to wait for his partner…and an explanation.
Jim exited the restaurant a few minutes later. He hesitantly started towards the truck. He glanced at his partner and was reassured by the calm gaze that managed to catch his eyes. Jim stopped for a moment, let out a deep sigh and strode the rest of the way to the truck in a manner much closer to his normal confident walk.
"The day you came to the hospital," Jim said in response to Blair's earlier question. "You handed me a business card and said something about help. My hearing was fading in and out so I didn't really hear what you said," Jim sighed, then continued. "After you left, I had a flashback to the incident with the girl and the dog. I wondered if she had gotten married. I almost didn't go to the university that day. I wouldn't have met you…" he trailed off.
"Hey, Jim," Blair placed a reassuring hand on Jim's shoulder. "It's okay. You did come see me and everything turned out just fine, didn't it?"
Jim felt as if a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He should have known that S… Blair would understand. Enough with the mushy stuff. He ruffled Blair's hair and moved around the front of the truck to get in the driver's side door.
"Well… Didn't it?" Blair asked again.
Jim looked over at Blair and smirked.
"Jiiiiiimmmmm," Blair whined.
"Blaaaiiiiirrrrrrr," Jim teased.
The End
Notes:
When I was searching for all the nicknames Blair has been called, I came across a section on nicknames on Nightowl's Nest website. Very helpful for this story. It is also where I came across this…"Although the last name 'Dolensky' was never used in the show or credits, actor Ryf Van Rij has noted that was his character's name on his first script."
That just didn't work with my story, so I ignored it, like everyone else does. J
Feedback, as always, is welcome. Cheryl