Title: Earth Angel, parts 3-5

Author/pseudonym: K9

Email address: lyrade@fdeeming.prestel.co.uk

Rating:Each part rated separately. See header Type: Slash

Pairings: J/B

Status: Complete

Date:23/7/99

Archive:no

Archive author:no

Archive email address: no

Series/Sequel:Earth Angel pt 1 & 2

Category: Humor/AU/ Episode related.

Author's website: http://internetdump.com/users/k9

Disclaimer: Don't own them, Petfly and Paramount do. Don't make money from them, just like to play with them.

Notes: Thanks go to Bast for betaing and encouragement in this. Anyone receiving Part 3 for the second time...my apologies. It was posted, but never came through to me, so I assumed that cyberspace ate it!

Summary : Blair Sandburg:horny angel and his continuing mission to conquer Jim Ellison.

Warnings: m/m. AU Spoilers for episodes:Flight, Night Shift, Sentinel Too, Sentinel Too Pt 2 & The Sentinel by Blair Sandburg.

I will never have it said that I am not a patient guy. I've sat through acceptance speeches at the Oscars every year since they started! But my patience with James Ellison is wearing a little thin.

After our first smooch session, when he rescued me from Lash's attempt to bore me to death, I figured that Jim and I would just fall into bed and fuck one another stupid.

Not so.

When we got home, Jim mumbled something about how important I was to him and how we should 'take it slow', then he bolted up the stairs to his bedroom...alone..and hibernated.

Okay, I can do slow.

But, Jim Ellison gives 'slow' a whole new meaning.

I'd had a call from The Big Guy, asking me for a report.

So? I'm shit with the ethereal paperwork, okay? I was late sending in my last report on my progress in this mission..yes, yes all right, my last *seven* reports, and he wanted to know how it was going.

Did Jim still 'need' me?

Yes!

How long did I think I needed before he could handle this Sentinel stuff himself?

Too soon to tell.

Hey, my talent for mild obfuscation is legendary.

So, Jim happens to walk in just as I'm on the phone. I give him some bull about it being a Professor offering me a Borneo trip. What do you expect? I tell him I was talking to God? Man, he'd have *loved* that!

Hellooooo padded room.

He looks at me like I just shot his new puppy and clenches his jaw, muttering something bout 'Doing what I gotta do'.

Oh man, how can I even think of leaving him this way?

Anyway, it came to pass that Jim and I found ourselves winging our way to Peru to try to save Simon and Daryl, who had been taken hostage by the bad guys.

Don't these people *ever* just have a normal vacation?

I found myself leaping out of an airplane, just so I could be with Jim. And before you ask, yes, there *is* insanity in the family, there was great uncle Mortimer who thought he was a cabbage.

Man, everything went wrong from the start, I got hooked up in the trees... I never did get a handle on the wings, let alone a parachute! Then found myself in the *jungle*.

Do you *know* how much jungle humidity screws up my hair? Man, the split ends I came back with.

Eventually, after fishing a lizard out of my pants, watched by an adorable dribbling Jim Ellison, we set off to do the whole hero thing.

Jim's abilities were really troubling him at the time. He was finding accepting his Sentinel gifts hard and though I had done my best to ally his fears and help him channel them, there's only so much that even an angel can do. Jim had to learn to accept himself, before he could truly embrace the talents The Big Guy had given him.

We both sat by the campfire that night. Jim had that far away look on his face as we talked, and I had a hard on that was threatening to burst through my pants at any moment.

With the light from the fire, you can see in the shadows, the planes of muscle working as he gritted that beautiful strong jaw.

Man, I lo...really like this guy.

/Phew/

He suggested that we get some rest and I made a cheap remark about me 'resting on his dick a while', which just made him blush and growl at me.

He really shouldn't do that...now I'm panting!

I'm not sure what happened with Jim that night, The Big Guy insists that *He* had nothing to do with it, no visions, no burning bushes, none of that shit, but *something* happened and Jim came to terms with what it was to really be a Sentinel. Once he embraced his unique abilities, we finally got the hero stuff out of the way, saved Simon and Daryl and headed home.

Home.

Shit, that's *really* is how I see this place now.

I'm sitting looking around the loft and like a proverbial thunderbolt, it hits me.

This is no longer a 'mission'.

It's about friendship.

For the first time, I look at Jim Ellison and I *see*.

I see a beautiful man with a tender heart and a special gift, but most of all I see my *friend*. And it scares the living daylights out of Blair Sandburg: horny angel.

When Jim suggested that I should ring the Professor back, I tell him that I've made my decision, that I'm not going anywhere, I'm staying right here... with him. I wish you could have seen the look on his face, that expression of pure, unadulterated joy and relief.

Oh hell...I *like* this guy, *so* much!

We wander out onto the balcony and I can't help but indulge in a little 'Ellison adoration fest'. I tell him how wonderful he was out there in the jungle. So primal. So controlled. So damned sexy that I come just thinking about it!

He smiles and tells me that we should just be glad to be home.

Home.

Definition: Where ever Jim Ellison is.

As we wander back into the loft, Jim thinks that I don't see his spirit guide perched up on his bed. Like you can miss over two hundred pounds of jaguar? I just hope the damned thing hasn't left hair all over the place again, I'm going to be coughing up fur balls for a week!

Just as I reach us another beer from the fridge, I hear Jim's voice.

"Blair?" he whispers.

Shit, he did it again. The knees tremble and my nervous system becomes sludge central.

"Yeah, Jim?" I answer using my most macho voice.

"Thanks for coming with me, I just want you to know how much it meant to me to have you there," he says. He's up close behind me, I can feel his body heat.

"That's what friends are for, man," I say trying to be *so* cool.

"You've gone way beyond that for me," he slides his arms around me and gently kisses the back of my neck.

Oh hell.

"I love you, Blair," he's whispering in my ear.

No, no, no, no, no!

"Jim, I..." for the first time in my life..and death, I'm speechless. Because the only words I want to say, I can't...ever.

"It's okay, I know you're not big on commitment and a guy as beautiful as you can do a lot better than me."

I swing around in his arms, I just can't let him go on saying those things, because they're not true. If there was any way..*any* way... "Don't say that," I snap, then as the hurt in his eyes penetrates my very soul, I look up and smile, "Don't put yourself down that way. You are a wonderful, handsome, sexy guy," I check my watch briefly, "Who should be in bed right now."

I give him the look.

The 'Sandburg' look.

It's never failed me in over a century, so come on Jim Ellison, don't ruin my record now.

A grin spreads across his face and he leans in and kisses me.

Who am I again?

Oh yeah.

He takes me by the hand and pulls me towards the stairs.

Do you know that it takes exactly three point two seconds to hurtle up the stairs and fling yourself onto Jim's bed? No? Well, it does.

And it takes me exactly two seconds to rid myself of the annoying encumbrance of jeans and two shirts. I narrowly missing doing the sex god before me a mischief as I hurl my sneakers through the air in wild abandon.

Then... I'm ready. Man, I am *so* ready.

He smiles, that 'he's so cute' smile and gently lowers himself down on top of me, a hand softly brushing across my chest, just enough to ruffle the hairs and make me shiver with pleasure.

"You are *so* beautiful," he whispers, as his lips close across mine and the taste of Jim Ellison explodes in my mouth.

If angels could die, I'd be pushing up the daisies right now.

His fingers slowly work their way up until they tangle in my hair, slipping through, massaging my scalp. Pulling me even closer, his lips try to devour me.

"I want you, Blair," Jim whispers.

"Hell, *take* me man, I'm yours!" I groan.

Jim laughs softly, "What did I do to deserve you?" he asks.

"You screwed up big time," I smile, knowing that it's not far from the truth.

"Do I have to *keep* screwing up in order for you to stay here?" he says with a grin.

Oh Jim, if only you knew. If only I could tell you. If only you could see what's in my heart.

"'Fraid so," I joke back a little sadly, wishing that it really was a joke and that I was just a normal guy, with a normal life who could love Jim Ellison as much as he needs and deserves.

"Okay," Jim slides down and sucks in my nipple...I almost lost it. You would think after one hundred and forty seven years, I'd know how to control myself, but I'm a martyr to my hormones.

"Ah, Jim!" I gasp, but he continues with his delicious assault. He's working his way down my body, kissing, licking, biting.. *worshipping*. I can't think any more, I just want to freeze this moment for eternity, never moving forward, never witnessing another sensation but the ones I'm experiencing right now.

Oh 'Satan and all his depressingly ugly fallen angels'!, he's just swallowed my cock whole, he's teasing it with his tongue, playing with me.

Jim Ellison...You old dog, you've done this before. Man, and I thought I knew *everything* about you?

I can feel the sensation building, screaming through my nervous system like wildfire, and best of all, with my empathic abilities turned up, I can sense what Jim's feeling too, the pleasure, relief, desire.. the naked, feral passion.

It doesn't take me long, I'm so close that I grab his head, trying to pull him closer, never wanting to leave that wonderful, warm, wet heaven.

Yes, I do him a little ear damage at the same time, but it will heal.

I can hear bellowing and screaming and I realize that it's me, I sound like a bear in the mating season and with a final shout I come fast and furiously, my world stops turning and civilisation stands still. I hear Jim follow close behind. Sinking down, resting his head on my belly as all muscle tone fails and with a tender kiss to my navel, he whispers "Thank you."

Thank *me*? Holy shit, I'm the one who should be blessing deities for what just happened. Man, I'd sit through the director's cut of 'Waterworld' just for one kiss from this guy. Because I....

I...

Oh man.

I'm sitting here in my 'office' at Rainier University, contemplating how the *fuck* I got myself into this mess in the first place.

Jim and I have been lovers for a few weeks and I *know* I'm just digging myself deeper into the shit, but I don't know how to stop it. It's kinda like being in the path of a really big truck... you know it will run you down if you just stand there, but you're so mesmerized by it's sheer size and velocity that...splat!

Yeah well...Blair Sandburg....Jim Ellison...splat.

To keep up my pretence I've been cataloguing Jim's Sentinel abilities in a fake dissertation. Just keeping records to help me better understand him and what makes him tick. Of course, having the luck of a guy who was crushed to death by an elephant, I left it lying about and Jim read it.

He wasn't impressed.

He's been acting really strange for days and nothing I do seems to make him any better. I've tried talking to him, showing him that I care.....man, I even tried strawberry ice-cream flavored lube, but *nothing* works.

I think I'm losing him and I...I...

Oh Blair, what have you done?

The PD is packed, there's some kind of city-wide strike going on and every weirdo and malcontent in Cascade is in here looking for trouble, help or salvation. All this and there's a reptile loose in the air ducts.

And they say that the guy downstairs has no sense of humor!

I'm wandering through the bullpen after yet another unpleasant exchange with Jim and I hear a voice. As I turn around I almost keel over.

"Gabe! What are you *doing* here?" I hiss nervously.

I should explain that Gabe is The Big Guys 'hit angel'. The trouble-shooter. Don't be fooled by his soft voice and calm exterior, the guy is a *shark*.

"Blair, I hear you've been a bad boy?" he smiles.

"Me?" I gasp.

I've had a long time in which to fine tune this wide-eyed expression and this little boy lost persona. All of which is wasted on this slimy bastard of course.

"Blair, that might work on him," Gabe gestures across the room at Jim, "But it's lost on me. Your reports are becoming fewer and more vague. The Big Guy is concerned that you're losing your objectivity. Are you Blair?" he sneers.

I resist the urge to punch his lights out, remembering that I *am* an angel, and that it wouldn't look good on my record. "No. I'm doing my *job*. Now why don't you go do yours? Appear to a couple of aged nuns or something. Someone who's easily impressed."

"Blair, Blair, Blair," he shakes his head and smiles that condescending smile, "That's what the Boss likes about you, that chirpy sense of humor, and that pretty face of course. But, I'm not fooled. You're in love with this mortal and it's going to get you screwed."

"Already have been, thank you very much," I smirk," And I'm just doing my job, sticking close to Ellison until he's okay. I never told *anyone* I was 'in love' with them."

Gabe gives me a sickening grin, "You don't have to. It's written all over your face," he laughs at what I know is an expression of shock and intense annoyance.

"Why don't you go polish your wings?" I turn away, hoping that he'll just leave.

"Oh I thought I'd hang around a while...watch you work...see for myself just how objective you are about this mortal."

I find myself hurrying through the crowds, just wanting to get out of there. Everything is going wrong, and I'm putting all I've achieved at risk. The mission, my angel status..Jim.

Oh Jim, please forgive me.

That night, for the first time in weeks, I sleep alone, back in my own bed. As I lie there, going over in my mind what has happened, I feel a wetness on my cheek.....

....but angels don't cry.

I know then that I'm doomed. I've messed up one last time.

I'm back at the University, trying to get my 'affairs' in order, knowing that the call to return to heaven is due at any time. I've been sad to leave before.

I like mortals, they know how to party!

But this time is different, this time my soul is staying on Earth.

There's a knock at my door. I look up to see the woman I'd met at the PD the day before. She had been displaying Sentinel symptoms and I'd told her to come see me. I figured that if I could do one more good deed before I leave, it might go down in my favor with The Big Guy. She moves across the floor like a predator. I can't explain the feeling, but there's an almost tangible danger about her. The fact that she is stunningly beautiful only seems to add to her air of menace. We talk and then stroll together and when we part, she kisses me...the kiss sears into my skin like a red hot blade.

Fuck...she's a demon!

That rats-ass, slimy, no good, son-of-a-bitch Gabe sent the guy downstairs my standby notice.

He's not gonna be listening to the whispers of anyone's heart again when I get *my* hands on him.

If I tell Jim, he'll want to help me and it will get him hurt. There's no way a mortal can protect me from a demon. This is my battle and I won't let Jim get in the way, I've risked *so* much to get him this far, we've been through hell together, no way is Barbie's evil twin fucking it up now.

When I get to the PD I find out that Alex, the devils spawn in spandex, has been indulging in a little robbery, murder and mayhem.

Like I'm *so* surprised.

And Jim is on her trail.

Oh shit.

The only way I can help is to find the right incantation, then kick her cosmetically lifted ass back to Hades. But, I need to read up on the details, so I head back for the U.

At this moment, I'm probably the most afraid I've ever been. Not only is she capable of screwing over on an angel and damning my soul to hell, she could hurt Jim just to spite me.

That is *not* an option.

I sift through the books until I find the answer, a few words, a little angel purity and she is *toast*.

Yeah, okay, the 'purity' thing could conceivably be a small obstacle here, but I'll wing it.

As I walk into the loft, trying to decide what to tell Jim, I stop dead in my tracks. All my belongings are in boxes, packed up and waiting inside the door.

The loft is cold and dark, the walls are bare again and the presence that once wrapped around me like a comforter as I walked in is gone.

Jim's standing by the window, gazing out over Cascade. His body rigid, his entire demeanour that of a man devoid of feeling.

He's telling me to leave, that he needs his space, that I'd be better off away from him.

I can't believe what I'm hearing, the words slice through me like knives, the pain is indescribable, shattering, devastating, soul destroying.

"But Jim.." I begin, I still don't *believe* what he's saying.

"Sandburg, just go," he whispers.

"But, I love you," I plead.

Oh, man. I said it.

I'm dead meat.

Jim doesn't answer, he just stares out across the city, lost in his own torment and blissfully oblivious to mine.

They tell you hearts don't really break.

They lie.

I grab my portable belongings and mumble something about picking the other things up. I fly from the loft. The tears are stinging my eyes, my throat has tightened until it aches and I wish I were mortal, then I'd know that someday death would take this feeling away.

I doubt you can imagine what it's like to know you have an eternity of pain ahead.

Somehow, I end up back at my office, though I have no idea how I get there.

Slumped at my desk, the tears spill uncontrollably, sobs tear at my body and the feeling of sheer desperation wraps around me like a shroud.

I'm not sure how long I sit there it feels like forever. Suddenly, the air around me changes. I feel the familiar cool breeze and sensation of peace. I look up to see The Big Guy standing at the other side of my desk.

Oh great, just what I need.

I leap to my feet and start to gibber.

"Sit down, Blair. You look like hell!" He grins.

I drop down in my seat and wait...

"I understand that things have gotten a little complicated around here recently?" He says.

I laugh despite myself, "You could say that," I sigh.

"Blair, you know the rules about mortal involvement. It's forbidden for a reason. Your spirit will go on for eternity, Jim Ellison's will someday leave this earth and move on to the next level. It's the most painful thing that can happen to an angel, so we have the 'no falling in love' rule to prevent it."

"I know. I never meant it to happen," I try to make him understand.

"No one ever does. Of course, you have another problem too, my colleague down below has sent out a demon to claim your soul. She's very good and very clever, don't underestimate her," He says gravely, "This is not good. I *don't* like losing one of my own. So, I've decided to make you a bargain. If you defeat the demon and survive, I will give you a choice. You can return to heaven with me and continue your work with no stain on your record and just a gentle ticking off. Or, you can stay here on earth with Jim Ellison.."

I almost choke, I look up at Him and gasp, can he be *serious*?

"...But, if you choose to stay, you give up your angel status and become a mortal again. You'll feel pain, grow old and die."

I can't put into words the thoughts that were whirling around in my head. I knew that I really didn't deserve this choice and it was only the fact that the Big Guy was so fond of me that made this possible. Normal practice was to kick your ass back to heaven and give you tele-evangelists for the next hundred years.

Man *that* makes hell look inviting, doesn't it?

"I must go. But realize, the challenge you face is anything but easy. Tread carefully, Blair my boy, I'd hate to see a soul as tender as yours in the other place. I'll be watching...."

What can I say? All I have to do is defeat a demon with all hell and the devil's powers at her command to claim the next thirty years boffing Jim Ellison.

Piece'o'cake.

I decide to ready myself for when she makes an appearance. Despite the lifting of my spirits slightly, I still have a couple of obstacles to overcome.

Namely, an agent of Satan and a pissed off Cascade PD officer.

Man, Jim was going to be hard work.

I've been studying for hours when my office door opens. I'm not totally unprepared I felt her approach. This was it!

She slides across the floor like a stillettoed viper with a thousand dollar smile.

"Hey, Blair," she smiles, "I just want you to know that I'm really sorry I have to do this. You know, I do like you," she slips a claw across my cheek, "In different circumstances, I'm sure you and I could have been...'friends'." Her tongue flicks out to moisten her lips and she's right in my face.

"Hey! You get that breast job in hell? Or is it Beverly Hills work?" I ask, unimpressed.

She pulls back and hisses, "Let's see how smart that mouth of yours is after a few Millennia in hell, baby," she drawls.

"Yeah well, if the choice is hell or my head between *those* things, 'baby', I'll take hell every time!"

She pulls out a gun and points it at me, from somewhere, I find myself laughing. This whole situation is suddenly *so* absurd.

"I know that you're weak, Blair. I know that you're in love with a mortal," her voice is mocking, "And I can assure you that I'll have a little sport with him when I'm finished with you. So, you might see him again after all...suffering alongside you for eternity."

I know I shouldn't do it, I should stay calm, but my temper snaps and I hurl myself at her, knocking the gun away. We roll around on the floor, clawing, struggling. I do something I've never done before on earth, I release my wings, they give me added strength and power, flapping in her face, swatting that smug grin off her silicone lips. In the back of my mind, I hear a voice urging me on, telling me that I can do it, I can win...I can do it for Jim.

Suddenly, I feel a searing pain, from somewhere she's pulled another gun and shot me in the heart.

I'd just like to explain that a close range shot to the heart of an angel isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just slows you down a little...oh and it hurts like a *bitch*.

I fall back and gasp, the hot pain spreads through my body. I can already feel it healing, but it's weakened me and she's throwing all her best spells at me. The room begins to spin..I can feel myself being pulled....I try to get up, but there's no strength in my legs.

Darkness begins to close in...

I have a weird sensation of floating. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remember the part about the spell of damnation being finished off by immersing the victim in water...

I can sense him here.

I try to peer through the dark, but nothing is coming into focus.

But, he's definitely here.

A voice like honey floats from the pitch-blackness. "Welcome Blair."

My heart is in my mouth, dear Lord, it's all over. She won and I'm damned.

Jim?

Oh God, Jim!

She's gone after him, I have to get away...JIM!

"There's no escape, Blair, don't fight it.." the voice drawls softly.

"Fuck you!" I yell and summon the remains of my strength into one last plea.

"JIM...PLEASE HELP ME.."

I can feel myself being pulled again, suddenly, I see Jim's animal spirit.

Okay, I take back everything I said about him and I fully accept the fact that Jaguar fleas are no bigger or dumber than your average feline flea.

He's hurtling towards me at full speed, I can't help but wonder if he's just going to run me down and sneer, 'Better or worse than the elephant?'

He's almost upon me...Shhhhiiiittt.....

I open my eyes and I see Jim. He's looking at me, his hands on my face, stroking my hair. Tears are pooling in his eyes. I cough and throw up water, the EMT's rush to my side, but all I want to do is hold onto Jim Ellison and never let him go.

You know, hospital food ranks somewhere between polyester pants and watching bowling on the fun scale and after a few days, I'm ready to perpetrate a seriously homicidal act on the cook. The doctors are amazed at my speedy recovery and they've told me that I can go home in a day or two unless I have a relapse or last nights lasagne develops language skills and we elope.

Jim is still a little weird, though he did come and apologise for being a jerk. But now I know that his behavior is because Alex is still out there and her evil aura is being picked up by his Sentinel senses.

It's almost comforting to know that there's a reason for what he did, beyond the fact that he was just majorly pissed at me and didn't want me around, but it doesn't solve the problem of how we get rid of her.

When I get out of hospital, I find a note saying that all my stuff has been returned to the loft and damn, when I check it out, he even threw a pair of dirty socks on the floor in the bathroom.

How could I *not* love this guy?

The scary part is that Jim's note also said that he had gone to Sierra Verde on Alex's trail.

Does that man *never* listen?

After speeding off to Sierra Verde with nothing but Megan Connor for company, I find Jim and Simon within a hair's breadth of finding Alex.

Jim is feeling drawn to her and I'm feeling *really* pissed.

I give this guy the best years of my death and he plays tongue hockey with Za Za Gabor's ugly twin at the drop of a hat.

Shit, he's gonna *pay* for this!

She's enticed him to the Sentinel temple and I know that she can destroy him easily there, while he's weak and unprotected.

No way is this bitch having *my* guy.

When I find her, she has Jim immersed in the sentinel pool at his most vulnerable and looking pretty damned cute, it has to be said.

"What the fuck does it take to damn you?" she gasps as I wander into the temple.

"More than you got, sweetheart," I smile, "Oh by the way, I see cheap and bottle blond is *in* this season 'down there', so you should go down a storm when I kick your skinny ass back to hell."

What she doesn't know, is that not only do I have my own angel powers to fight with, but I have the strength of Jim's spirit guide as well.

Yes, I know I describe him as a walking hearth-rug with a halitosis problem, but it's always said in a loving way.

She's grinning and stalking me, I can see that she feels secure in the knowledge that she beat me once, she can do it again.

Not *this* time, baby.

I start to recite the incantation in my mind. I feel so free and strong, drawing on my own resources and Jim's. Suddenly she stops.

"What?" I ask, "That 38D slowing you down?" I taunt. I know that if I can make her mad, she'll make mistakes.

Trust me, getting people pissed is my talent.

"I'm going to have you for lunch, 'little boy'," she snarls.

Ex..CUSE me!

"Not so much of the 'little' if you don't mind, sweetie. My dimensions are *way* ample enough where it counts."

She screams her way across the floor and throws herself at me, from inside of my jacket, I slip out a weapon and with a single thrust I push the silver dagger into her chest.

Oh yeah, should have mentioned that. To disable a demon, you need a silver dagger...pure silver mind...and it has to be blessed with holy water, then used by someone with a pure and untainted soul.

Shit, two outta three ain't bad.

The look on her face is amazing, slowly she slips to the floor and I follow her down. If I can keep her still long enough to finish the ritual, she'll be bound in goodness, too weak to do any harm and the guy downstairs will have to come retrieve her himself.

Mucho embarrassing when you pride yourself on being an ass kicking demon!

Despite the pain she must be in she begins to wriggle. I look around to find 'Sylvester the cat' sitting, watching, that smug air of superiority just emanating from him.

Why couldn't Jim have something useful as a spirit guide...like a *dog* maybe?

"Hey, fuzzball! A little help wouldn't hurt," I call over to him.

When he finally deigns to shift his furry ass, he wanders over and sits down on her chest, bouncing a couple of times to get comfy.

I take it back when I said that the smelly, flea bitten old mouser had no sense of humor!

Finishing the incantation finally, I feel her body relax.

It's over.

We get Jim free of the tank and the authorities take Alex away. Jim has only confused memories and blurred visions about what happened, and maybe that's for the best.

I'm going *home*.

With the man I love.

I get a call from the Big Guy, telling me that he needs to see me.

Arriving at his office, I am *way* nervous, but I *have* done as he asked and I know that He will never go back on his promise.

"Blair my boy," He gasps and moves in to hug me.

Oh man!

"I am so proud of you," He chuckles, "I just got off the line with my colleague downstairs. He's furious, you escaped hell and then bound his favorite demon. " He allows himself a guffaw at this point. "And I won my bet," He sniggers, "I told him that my angel could take *his* angel *any* day of the week."

Now, there are those moments in life..or death in this case...when the word 'bizarre' just doesn't cut it. And knowing that God and the devil were running a book on you certainly qualifies.

"But, down to business. I just want to outline my offer again, then I want you to go away and think about it for a couple of days before you make your decision.

If you wish to return, you will be welcomed and your status will not be affected in any way. You will live for eternity here, with us, and continue your good works.

If you choose to stay on Earth with James Ellison, you must give up your angel status once and for all. You will no longer be impervious to bullets, blows to the head, explosions or drowning. You will feel pain and your body will age and die. Also," He looks over at me a little sadly," You must give up everything that you were given as an angel, including your position as an anthropology graduate student at Rainier University. You didn't earn it. It isn't 'yours'. Anything that came as part of the package must be discarded. Blair, you will be forced to start from scratch, with nothing. This will be a hard road and one I really don't want to see you take, but the choice is yours.

You have two days and then come back and give me your answer."

I've made some pretty sucky choices in my time, the 'silver dollar' possibly being one of the worst, but despite His warnings, I can't help feeling that this isn't a hard choice on the whole scale of decision making.

I'm sitting in the middle of the bed. Jim has just raced down stairs to get us some strawberries and cream as a snack and hopefully a sexual aid.

I look around.

I have everything here I ever wanted.

This is our first time back together since 'it' all happened. Jim has apologised so much that I just had to kiss him to shut him up...hey, that's *my* excuse and I'm sticking with it. We have fences to repair, but I think we can get there. I get the distinct impression that our problems aren't over, but whatever they are to be, we'll face them together.

Oh man, here he comes.

Jim Ellison buck naked all but a smile.

Pinch me!

He hands me the bowl and the cream and crawls across the bed towards me.

Uh ho...decision made.

I can feel one of those pachyderm moments coming on.

I know that I'll grow old, my face will line, my eyesight will go, the belly will paunch and dear lord, the dick will eventually slow down and fail. But all of these things will happen with Jim Ellison by my side and I'd say that's a pretty cheap price to pay.

And heaven? I have it right here.

Jim picks out a strawberry and shoves it into my mouth.

"Just in case you were thinking of talking," he purrs, "I'm looking for action not words."

Oh man!

He pushes me down and I flop back onto the bed with a stifled giggle, then to my shock, he picks up the cream and pours it over my chest and belly. The cold hits my heated skin and I almost leap from the bed. With my mouth still full of strawberry, I give out a muffled "Fmck!"

He grins at me and holds me down, "Sandburg, you get this cream on my clean sheets and I'll whip your ass," he's teasing and tickling my ribs. Suddenly, he dips his head down and begins to lick off the cream. His tongue moves across my body in long, sweeping strokes, it's teasing my chest hair and making me shiver. I let my empathic abilities open wide and take Jim Ellison in. I want to experience everything, just this one last time.

The little lapping motions he's making with his tongue tickle like hell and I start to giggle. This only encourages him and he starts to wiggle his fingers around in the cream and smear it everywhere.

I hope he's gonna suck that off each and every chest hair, That stuff is going to be a *bitch* to get out once it dries!

He makes a real fourteen course, with more than one starter and a whole host of desserts, meal out of cleaning me up. By the time he's made it to the dribbles running down my ribcage, I'm a physical and emotional mess. I'm babbling incoherently and sniggering at something, but I'm damned if I know what. With a sudden twist he turns me over and my half-hard dick digs into the mattress painfully.

"Jim.." I slur. I know I sound like a wino who had a shot too many meths, but I'm so far gone I'm beyond reason.

"Just, shut up," he growls, as he pours the cream slowly down my back. I can feel it running down my shoulders and...oh shit, it's trickling down my ass. He begins again, languidly swiping his tongue up between my shoulder blades. I swear I hear him purr and the pervert in me forces me to take a look, just in case that son-of-a-bitch spirit guide is having a joke at my expense.

No, it's still Jim.

I feel his lips trailing down my back, slurping up the thick sticky cream as he goes and as he reaches my ass he gives it a bite. This sudden assault makes me jump, I swear at him in some language, could be Ancient Greek or some such shit, I have no idea, but he just sniggers and takes another bite. I feel his tongue dart out and probe the crevice now slippery with cream. With lightening speed he rims me, pushing the tip of his tongue inside me, suckling and scraping his teeth across my flesh.

I launch into outer space. I'm expected back this way sometime in 2132.

His hands are massaging my ass, spreading me open. That lethal mouth is still going to work, nibbling the delicate skin behind my balls while I moan and beg.

Suddenly he pulls my hips upwards, forcing me onto my knees, I can feel him sliding his hands up my back. He's leaning across me, whispering..

"Wanna play?" he teases.

"Unghst fro skiwn," I hear myself mumble. *I* know it means 'Fuck me to within an inch of my life and do it *now* and somehow, I think Jim does too.

He laughs softly, the vibration shudders through my body. I feel him pull back and a few tortuous moments later I can feel his cock, pushing at me, willing me to open up to him.

At that moment, I surrender.

Everything I am and everything I want to be is wrapped up in this one emotion and tied with a ribbon bearing the name 'Jim Ellison'.

He's inside me, moving slowly, building up the sensation. I can sense his emotional response, his overwhelming feelings of love and that's good enough for me.

"Feel nice?" he sighs in my ear.

"Uh...yeah...oh.." I'm *way* gone by now, the birdies are singing and the cartoon butterflies are floating past like some porno version of Song Of The South in my brain.

Jim reaches around and grabs my cock, squeezing and tugging then teasing it gently.

He's trying to kill me.

With a growl, he sinks his teeth into my shoulder and speeds up his thrusts.

He's definitely trying to kill me...but *what* a way to go!

Matching the thrust of his hips with the pull of his hand he has me spellbound.

I always knew this guy had rhythm.

I fling my head back with a passionate scream and almost break his nose in the process, but like they say, you have to be prepared to suffer for true love.

We topple over the edge together, crashing to earth in an orgasmic haze and sliding down the bed before moving in to cuddle up.

I look up at Jim and I see his pleasure, love and contentment.

How can this *ever* be wrong?

I'm standing at heaven's gate for the last time as an angel. I can't say that I don't feel just a little sad, I do. I have enjoyed my existence here and I know that I've made a difference to a lot of people's lives. It could also be said that my decision is selfish...and I guess it is. But, I figure that after one hundred and forty seven years, I deserve a break.

I'm ushered into The Big Guys office and he looks up at me and smiles, "Blair, please sit down," He instructs.

I'm so nervous that I'm tugging on my hair and can feel a river running down my back.

"I presume that you've made your decision?" He asks.

"Yes."

"And?"

"I...I want to stay on Earth with Jim," I say through a tight throat, "I have loved every moment of my time here, but...I love him. And I know that if I return, I won't be able to give all of myself to you, because I just don't own it all any more," I hope that I'm making sense and that He won't be disappointed in me.

I glance up and He's smiling, "Blair, if you had given me any other answer but that one, I would have been sorely disappointed in you. I know you love Jim Ellison, I've known from the moment you set eyes on him, and I realized then that I'd lost you. Don't be too hard on yourself, what you did took more than courage and you owe us nothing. The goodness you have spread with your deeds has changed the face of humanity and they and I are eternally grateful. Go and enjoy your life on Earth, you will need to be strong for the trials and tribulations ahead, but you will always triumph. You're a fighter."

I can feel my eyes stinging, "Thank you... I'll... I'll miss you," I mumble.

"Oh Blair, you know that *I* am always with you," He chuckles.

"Oh man, not in the bedroom!" I gasp, then have the good grace to blush a little.

"I'm discreet," He laughs.

He stands up and reaches out his hand. As I grasp it, my entire body tingles.

"When you get back to Earth, you will be mortal again. Just..watch out for the elephants this time?"

I laugh and nod, "Thank you. Goodbye."

I feel a tear trickle down my cheek as I turn to leave. Pulling the door to behind me, I wipe it away. There's just one more thing to do before I go...

"Hey, Gabe," I smile.

He looks across the room and sneers, "Well, I hear you're leaving us? Shame!"

I walk up to him and hold out my hand, "I just wanted to say 'thanks'," I grin.

The look on his face is *so* funny.

"Thanks?" he frowns.

"Yeah, if it hadn't been for you, I would have just had my ass kicked back to heaven in disgrace and ended up trying to save Rev. Phelps from being damned for eternity. A job that I *so* didn't want, since I personally think that it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. As it was, by alerting the man downstairs, you gave me a chance to redeem myself and The Big Guy rewarded me by letting me stay with Jim. So...thanks Gabe," I smile sweetly.

Oh man, if you could only see his face. He just wore away his molars grinding his teeth and I think he's due to pop an artery.

I turn as if to leave, "Oh yeah, another thing.." I say, waiting for him to look up at me again. I ball my fist and with all the strength I have I hit him squarely in the jaw, sending him hurtling backwards. He hits the wall and slides down, "....Have a nice day." I snarl. The pent up anger makes me tremble, he's shaking his head and swearing.

"I'll make you pay for this! I'll report it!"

I give him one last look and flip him the finger, "Yeah? Bite me!" I laugh as I walk away.

Revenge may *not* be the angel way, but *fuck* it feels good.

So, here I am. Blair Sandburg, regular guy. I currently have no job, no career, and thanks to Gabe's final intervention, no reputation other than that of a liar and a cheat.

The no good little shit-for-brains made sure that the fake dissertation was leaked to the press and Jim's Sentinel abilities were made public. I've had to stand up in front of the world and admit that I am liar. It strained the relationship between Jim and I for a while, but I think it's healing. That was what Gabe had in mind, drive Jim away and I would have given up everything for nothing.

No way!

We're in the truck on the way to an emergency call. Jim is dodging through traffic, scanning the area, taking it all in and I'm watching his genitals bounce in those loose pants as we hit the bumps.

Like I said...it's the hormones.

"Where are we going, Jim?" I ask.

His face is set in a frown, he's concentrating so hard that it takes a moment or two for my question to filter through.

"Cascade zoo, Chief, " he replies, "Some nutball animal liberation group have released all the animals. It's chaos, police, swat teams, animal control, zoo rangers."

I swallow hard and close my eyes, "They got elephants?" I ask.

"Yeah. Why?"

Oh shit!