~oOo~

It was to be expected. The quiet moments, lost in his thoughts. Thoughts that, if they lingered long enough, turned into nightmares that had him waking in the middle of the night, shaking and distraught until he found his repose ... and then he'd be lost again, in those same thoughts.

It was to be expected, all of it – the haunted looks, the apparent withdrawal of touch, the unshed tears. All expected, except for the one thing that, even if he lived to be a million years, Jim would never have seen coming. Lucas had shut Blair out – completely, totally and absolutely. The sobbing mess bundled in his lap was a testament to that.

"I don't want it there no more," Blair cried. His little fingers scrubbed at his wrist, willing it to be naked. Willing for the mark, which signified how very much he belonged to his father and his brother, to be gone.

"Sweetheart," Jim hushed, engulfing Blair's hand and stilling his movements. "Lucas just needs some time, that's all."

Blair shook his head, sending curls which had grown far too long, whipping against his cheeks. "He not love me anymore," he sobbed, "and I 'cided that I not going to love him no more, neither."

"Chief, of course he still loves you." He lifted Blair up, reseating him so that he was now straddling his lap. "And I don't believe for one minute that you don't love him." He wound his arms tightly around his son, feeling the wetness of his cheeks against his chest.

How did he even begin to explain to a child that he was still loved when actions so clearly told him otherwise? Lucas wasn't just being distant to Blair; he was treating the child as if he didn't exist at all. It was like Blair was no more than one of the village kids who, at the best of times, were nothing more than an annoyance. Jim had been witnessing it from the day Lucas had gained enough strength to start taking care of himself. At first he had let it go, his own instincts telling him that, after everything Lucas had been through, he needed some time, some space. But time and space had only served to widen the gap, not bridge it.

"Daddy, what did I do? Why does Lucas hate me?"

Jim pushed his son back and cupped his cheek. "You did nothing wrong, baby, and you have to believe me when I say that he doesn't hate you."

"But he won't play with me anymore and he say I have to stay away from him." Blair's blue eyes glistened with tears. "He say he not have any more brothehs."

The dam broke, and Blair was inconsolable. Like so many other times since the day Blair had come into his life, words had no effect. The child needed to cry and Jim had to let him. He could do everything in his power to protect Blair from physical harm, but he couldn't always protect him from his feelings. All he could do was wrap him in love and give him the tools he needed to build a self-worth that would help him overcome.

But not even self-worth could mend a broken heart and, as an hour ticked by, Blair finally succumbed to emotional exhaustion. The play and the chatter of the village children silenced as he carried Blair back to the hut. He laid him on the centre of the grass mat, bending down to place a soft kiss on a grubby little cheek which, after a hard morning of serious play, was in desperate need of washing. As he stood, the animal spirits appeared, taking up positions that he no longer disputed – the wolf to the top, a cougar to the left, and a jaguar to the right. Blair was guarded, safe within the triangle.

With one last look, Jim left the hut. It was time to bring Lucas back home.

~oOo~

"So you got a link to cable TV or something we don't know about down here?" Jim approached the river, being careful not to crowd Lucas's personal space. "With the amount of time you've been spending here, I can't think of another reason, unless of course it's because you'd rather not be spending it with us."

Lucas just shrugged his shoulders.

"Ah, the old shrug of the shoulders," Jim said taking a seat on the ground. "It says so little, but yet so much."

"What do you want, Jim?" Lucas asked.

"I want a lot of things, Lucas, but first I'd like to start with your forgiveness?"

"Forgiveness? Forgiveness for what?"

"For being ignorant to what I am and making you carry a load you should never have had to carry."

"I've been carrying loads all my life, Jim. This one was no different."

"I was meant to protect you kiddo, and I failed."

"No, you didn't."

"Yes, I did, and because of my failure, you paid the price."

"Jim, I think you're giving yourself a little too much credit here. This is not the first time I've had the shit kicked out of me and it's not the first time I've had sex with my family. Hell, I don't even remember half of it, so I guess it's not all bad."

"You didn't have sex, Lucas, you were raped," Jim said, pointedly. He'd learned that when the kid wanted to play hardball, he had to play hardball back or he'd just end up chasing his tail.

"Are you sure about that?" Lucas answered, with a measure of false bravado.

"I'm positive about that, but what I'm not sure about is why you're doubting it."

Lucas got to his feet and moved to the river's edge. "Because it hurts too much not to," he admitted quietly, his pretentious attitude failing fast.

Jim followed, making sure to keep his distance. "Lucas, I've had enough riddles and puzzles to last me a lifetime. Do an old man a favour and shed some light."

Picking up a stone, Lucas threw it out, skimming it across the water's surface. "I didn't trust you, you know. When you first made me come and live with you, I was sure it was for only one reason."

"That's understandable."

"But you never made that move. I waited and I watched and I expected, but as weeks turned into months, not once did you ever put the hard word on me. There were even times that you were so careful not to touch me or invade my privacy that I'd begun to think that maybe you thought I was a total screw-up and had no chance at all of being normal." Lucas tossed another stone in his hand. "But then things changed. You kinda relaxed and I felt as if maybe, just maybe I was meant to be a part of your family."

"No maybes about it, Lucas. You are a part of this family."

"Then why are you so afraid to touch me now?"

"Lucas, I'm not afraid of touching you." Jim edged closer. "But I guess I have been afraid of you not wanting me to."

Lucas shrugged his shoulders again. "Incacha told me that what doesn't kill me will make me stronger, and in a way he's right." Finding the courage, Lucas turned to face Jim. "But I don't want him to be right, Jim. I don't want to be so strong that I'm alone again," he admitted. "I've been an island for so much of my life that I'd honestly forgotten what it was like to have people around who love you just for the sake of loving you, and I'd forgotten what it was like to have someone hold you and not expect anything in return." Lucas turned back toward to the river. "You've lowered my defences and I don't know how to get them back."

"Maybe you're not meant to get them back." Jim reached out and squeezed the teenager's shoulder. "Lucas, what do you think you'll become if you walk around for the rest of your life with your emotional shields up?"

"I'll become an island," Lucas whispered.

Jim dragged Lucas back, into his arms. "Well, kiddo, unless you've got a leggy blonde and an endless supply of Pina Coladas, I'd say islands are pretty much overrated."

Lucas lifted his hands and held onto the forearms that encircled his chest. "Yeah," he responded, allowing himself to take comfort in everything that Jim offered him so freely.

"But you know, there is something that I still don't quite understand," Jim said.

"Hey, my life's an open book," Lucas replied, sarcastically.

"Well, since the pages are open, I'd like to know why you've been pushing Blair away? You know how very much he loves you and I know how much you love him. I don't understand what's gone wrong."

Lucas's gaze suddenly found the ground very interesting. "To keep him safe," he answered softly.

"Safe? Safe from what?"

"From what's in my genes?"

Jim spun Lucas around. "No," he said. "That's ridiculous and you know it."

"But what if it's not? What if one day I wake up and I've become more than I'm meant to be? What if, one day when I'm giving Blair a bath, or when he does one of his nuddie runs down the hall, I see more than I'm supposed to see and I feel more than I'm supposed to feel? What happens, Jim, if one day an innocent cuddle no longer seems so innocent?"

"Lucas, you are so far off base, it's not even funny."

"Jim, my father, my uncle – they both had it, and so did their father. Who knows how far it goes back, and who knows how long it will continue?"

"It continues nowhere, because it stopped with you the moment you were born." Jim took Lucas's face in his hand and forced the boy to look at him. "Look me straight in the eye and tell me what you feel when you think about Blair, and what you see when you look at him?"

Lucas didn't even have to think. "I see a brother who I love more than anything else in the world."

"Exactly. A brother you'd give your life to protect. You couldn't hurt him, Lucas. Regardless of what has happened in your family, you are not a part of that. I promise, it is not a part of you."

"How can you be so certain, Jim? Aren't you even the tiniest bit afraid?

"No," Jim answered with absolute honesty. "And do you know why I'm not afraid?"

Lucas just shook his head.

"Because, like it or not, you've become my son. I love you and I trust you, and I know what's in your heart." He tapped Lucas's chest. "I know without one doubt what's in here."

Lucas swallowed hard. "And you can't see it. You honestly can't see it?"

Jim pulled Lucas in and folded him into his chest. "It's not there, Lucas. You have to trust me that it's just not there."

Lucas returned the hug, feeling as if the weight of the world had just been lifted from his shoulders. "I love you guys so much that it's scary, you know," he whispered.

A small hand brushed the teenager's leg. "It not scawy, Lucas," Blair said with an amazing amount of confidence. "The scawy part is you not fo'get to 'member to love."

With his eyes brimming with tears, Lucas let go of Jim and bent down, taking Blair's hands within his own. "Are you sure you're only three point seven five?"

Jim pulled Blair against his leg and laced his hand through his hair. "I'm still sticking with the forty-year-old midget story, myself."

Reaching out, Lucas touched Blair's cheek. "Do you still love me?" he asked

There were no words spoken as Blair dived into Lucas's arms. They were brothers, and there was no need.

After everything that had happened and everything they'd been through, Jim finally had a reason to smile, and really smile. "Who's up for a swim?" he asked, playfully tapping both boys on the head and quietly brushing away a tear of his own.

"Me," Blair bounced. "I even knows how to swim now."

"You do?" Lucas swung Blair gingerly onto his shoulders. "Who taught you?"

"Our daddy."

Jim's smile became impossibly wide. "Come on Half-pint, I'll race you to the water."

"Hey, that's not fair, I'm still injured," Lucas complained. "Plus," he said, reaching up to tickle Blair, "I have a handicap."

"Moan, moan, whine, whine," Jim called out. He stopped just short of the water. "But you know what? You'll really have something to moan about when I tell you what's on tonight's dinner menu."

"Please, not snake again," Lucas complained.

"Nope, better. Bandicoot!"

"No way!"

"Yes way, and way disgusting."

"Maybe you could catch some fish, Lucas?" Blair piped up.

Lucas pulled Blair off his shoulders and plopped him down by the water's edge. "I didn't think you ate fish," he said, suspiciously.

Blair's smile quickly turned into a giggle. "I not, but I do ate fillets."

"You are most definitely a brat," Lucas responded with a broad smile, "and you have to the count of five."

Blair squealed as the water splashed in his direction. "You not catch me, 'cause I are a good swimmeh now." Blair took to the water with Jim at his side and Lucas right behind.

Incacha stood at the edge of the tree line, watching the antics take place, praying that it would be a sight he would see again tomorrow.

The Elders were on their way and a decision had been reached.

~oOo~

"Respect, Enqueri," Incacha cautioned. "You must offer it at all times, without exception."

"I thought we were meant to be at this council meeting?" Jim grated. "After all, it's our lives on the line. Surely we had a right to defend them?"

"You and the guardian are not versed in the ways of the council, Enqueri, and as such had no right to be there. I spoke on your behalf and the guardian's case has been pleaded."

"So that's it," Jim replied. "Our fate is in the hand of a selected few."

"As it is within your world, I believe," Incacha replied.

"This is not exactly a jury of our peers, Incacha."

"No," the warrior agreed. "It is something far more powerful."

Jim cocked his head, his senses automatically attuned to the village surroundings. "They've arrived," he said, getting to his feet.

"Then I must greet them."

Ellison placed his hand on Incacha's arm. "They're not taking Blair," he stated. "No matter what happens, I won't let them have him."

"I know," Incacha replied. The warriors of their village were already prepared. They'd made a promise to stand by the side of their sentinel. It was a promise each and every man intended to keep, despite the consequences.

The pomp and ceremony that Jim expected with the Elder's arrival was virtually non-existent. They came unaccompanied, with no guards or attendants. This fact alone had Jim bristling on the edge. If they needed no protection, then they obviously had the power to protect themselves.

He'd followed Incacha's instructions to the letter from the moment they'd entered the village. Feeling like he and the boys had lined up like a pack of mutts going for 'best in show', Jim restrained himself, not moving a muscle or uttering a word.

Then words were spoken, not to him, but directed at Lucas. Jim clenched his fists and the muscle in his jaw screamed for release. "Your arm, Guardian," one of the Elders directed.

Lucas complied, his own muscles tensing as he revealed the mark on his arm.

"Your arm, Sentinel." Jim followed the teenager's lead, thrusting out his wrist for all to see.

Then, the silence was broken by a voice which was meant to remain silent. "I gotted one too." Blair broke formation, going straight to the Elder's side. "See," he announced. "It just like my dad's and it just like Lucas."

The Elder looked down upon the boy and could not help but smile at the innocence of heart and spirit that shone from the child's eyes. "And I hear you have been very brave to earn such a mark," he responded kindly.

Blair shrugged. "I not know," he said before turning around. "Daddy, have I been brave?"

Jim and Lucas reached out with near exact timing and pulled Blair back to stand in between them.

The youngster looked up at his family. "Oops! I fo'gotted I wasn't suppose to talk," he whispered, trying now to be extra quiet.

"There has not been a time within the history of the council when such serious matters have come to hand." The frailest looking of the members turned to address Lucas. "I cannot take away the pain you have suffered, nor can I change the passage of time to right what has been wronged. I can only hope that you embrace what has come from your trials and use it to make you stronger and to make you wiser." The old man placed his hand on the teenager's shoulder. "You have been entrusted with a great worth, young guardian, and I believed in your ability to protect this worth."

The Elder's hand left Lucas's shoulder and his attention focussed on Jim. "You are their sentinel, and as such, do not need to be told what this means."

"I don't," Jim responded.

The Elder nodded. "Good, then no more shall be said."

He winked quickly at Blair. "I myself could never see the point in staying quiet when you had something important to say."

One by one, without pomp or ceremony, the Elders disappeared and the village broke into a cacophony of noise. Ellison's first reaction was to gather his boys to his side, until he realised that the slaps that rained down on his back were done in congratulation. "So, is that it?" he asked over the fanfare of noise.

"I believe that is it," Incacha smiled back.

Jim didn't move to stop a warrior who hoisted Blair upon his shoulders, or the one who dragged Lucas over to the campfire. The smiles that graced their faces told him that he had nothing to worry about. "So what happened?" he asked.

Incacha took Jim by the wrist. "This happened."

Jim rubbed his fingers over the intricate design that adorned his wrist. "Incacha, I know the basics, but what exactly is this?"

"This is the triangle; it symbolises a legend that goes back to the beginning of time," Incacha began. "Every tribe has a guide and a sentinel and a few, such as ours, possess a guardian to look over the guide. But the bringing of three together does not necessarily give you the power of the triangle."

"Then what does?" Ellison asked.

"The power comes when you bring together three souls who share a common destiny. Three souls who have travelled together, in one form or another, since the beginning of time."

"You're kidding," Jim said in disbelief.

"In each of these lives, the souls do not necessarily connect, but for some the connection is there from the beginning of time until the end of time. You, Enqueri, and Blair and Lucas have had this connection every time you have been upon this earth. This is why it was so important to keep this connection safe in this life while it was still a fledging and learning to fly."

"And you knew about this ... you knew about us all along?"

"With each life you have lived, I have been entrusted as the keeper of the triangle. As such, you can imagine it is a role I do not take lightly."

"Well I guess I owe you a thank you," Jim said with sincerity. "Thank you for looking out for my boys."

"It is my destiny and my very great honour." Incacha squeezed the sentinel's shoulder. "Come, join the celebrations."

"Incacha!" Jim said as the warrior began to move away. "You said this all began because certain forces wanted Blair."

"That is correct."

"Why?"

"As I said, your son has the ability to grow into a very powerful guide. If a power such as his is harnessed from a very young age, he can be forced to do things he is not yet strong enough to resist. These forces within the council wanted your son to pursue the calling of darkness."

"And they've now been taken care of?"

Incacha nodded. "Although the Elders may appear frail, they wield a mighty sword, Enqueri, and this sword is on your side."

"And you were willing to challenge this sword?"

"As I said, I have been entrusted, and it is my duty."

Jim nodded his understanding. "How sure can we be that these members of the council won't return?"

"We cannot; there are no certainties in life. But you also cannot live your lives based on what could happen. Your children are young and have much to experience; they must follow and enjoy what life lays out before them, without a shadow hanging over their shoulder."

Incacha once again clasped Jim's shoulder. "It is our job, Enqueri to keep those shadows away." He slapped the sentinel's arm. "Now, I believe we have a celebration to attend."

"One more question," Jim rushed. "You haven't told me what the legend of the triangle is or how to use the power that it carries with it."

"Puzzles and riddles, my friend, are what keep the mind active and alert. When the time is right, you will find the answer."

This time Lucas interrupted their conversation. "Hey, Jim. You really have to try this stuff." He shoved a bowl filled with brightly coloured liquid under the sentinel's nose. "It'll blow your socks off."

Jim took a whiff and winced at the smell. "Lucas, this stuff is more potent that Granny Moses' moonshine." He took the bowl away from the boy.

"Oh come on, Jim," Lucas complained. "Just one?"

Ellison scanned the celebration happening around him and, in a moment of weakness handed the bowl back. "Just one," he warned. "The last thing I need is to spend the whole night holding your head up while you hurl into the bushes."

"Party pooper," Lucas teased.

Although still stiff and sore, Lucas was quick enough to move out of the way of Jim's swat.

"Celebrations?" Incacha encouraged.

"Mazel tov," Jim laughed, grabbing Lucas and draping his arm around his shoulder just as Blair came running up.

"Daddy, I not allowed to have any of the pink drink," he huffed. "Lucas is allowed an' that not fair."

Jim swung Blair into his arms. "Well, Munchkin, I think if we look hard enough, we'll be able to find a special drink just for you."

"We will?" Blair bounced. "Way cool," he said. "When I get back home I going to show Holly my tattoo and tell her about my pink drink."

Jim's eyes darted toward the warrior.

"It will only be seen by those that need to see," Incacha assured quietly.

Feeling a little relieved, Jim planted a sloppy kiss on his son's cheek. "You know what guys? ... I think that when we get home we should take a trip to California to see the seals."

Blair's eyes widened. "You knowed about the seals?" he asked, with reserve.

"A father has eyes that see all," Jim teased. He placed Blair on the ground to satisfy the pup, who was doing an enviable job in trying to trip him up. "Five words, Chief. Stay out of the truck."

Blair flashed a wicked smile before scooting off, as always with a wolf pup hot on his heels.

"So what'cha think?" Jim asked, turning to Lucas. "Feel like a trip to Disneyland?" He felt he didn't need to contend with time off from work; Simon could either like it or lump it. After everything they'd been through, he couldn't see them fitting back into the mainstream with perfect ease. Lucas still needed time to heal and he needed time to be with his family and resolve his own conscience. "We might not be able to go five star, but if you don't mind sharing a room, it could be kind of fun."

Lucas stopped in his tracks. "I'm okay, Jim. You don't have to do this for me, you know?" He averted his eyes, trying so hard not to let on just how very much he wanted – needed – Jim's presence just to get through the night.

"Then how about you doing it for me?" Jim answered softly.

For the very first time since they'd met, Lucas instigated an action that felt so very natural. "You gotta deal," he said, drawing Jim into a hug.

After a few seconds, Lucas reluctantly pushed back. His smile was wide. "But only if I get to drive some of the way?"

Jim hooked Lucas by the neck. "Half-pint, you have much to learn."

Lucas pulled away, giving Jim a quick smack and ducking out of reach. Their eyes locked briefly, before Lucas turned away and trailed after Blair.

With a sense of hope he hadn't felt in long time, a father stood watching his children.

They were together as a family, and shared a bond so strong that would never be broken.

The End

TBC in Part 7 – California and a reprieve from the angst awaits!

I wont ask if you enjoyed this story as I'm not sure enjoy is the right word, however I hope that it did managed to leave an impression and leave room for thought.