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Reverberation
by ljc
5/08
Summary: Simon is proud. Jim and Blair talk.
Note: Prompt (doctor) from the SentinelThursday list.
Warnings, Ratings: No warnings.
Disclaimer: All characters, places, and objects from The Sentinel belong to Pet Fly Productions, UPN, Paramount and the SciFi Channel. No money is being made. No copyright infringement is intended. Any resemblance (of original characters) to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. No similarity to any person either living or dead is intended or should be inferred. This story was written by ljc with the love of the show in mind.
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Blair stood next to Jim, and Joel stood next to Simon. Joan sat with her mother and sister, in another row. Daryl had managed to get tickets in two locations for his family and friends. Keeping the parents apart had seemed like a good idea since Daryl's mother was dead-set against his choice of career.
It was with great pride that Simon watched as Daryl crossed the platform and accepted the Doctorate in Criminology. There had been times during the last ten years when he'd been afraid that this day would never come. A faint grin crossed his face as he remembered some rousing arguments that had come between them, to finally be mended or simply forgotten.
The grin got bigger when he saw a sketchy salute from the 'Doctor' as he headed back to his seat. That boy of his would always have a streak of irreverence in him. He thought that might be a good thing. Simon had had to toe the line and work harder than most to cross the color barrier years ago. He was glad that his son wouldn't be faced with that degree of discrimination. Simon had fought for his own place it's true, but he'd never lost sight of the future and the changes that he could help bring about for others, but most especially for his son.
His heart swelled at the pride he felt for Daryl today. After the ceremony they strode toward each other and clasped hands, man-to-man, then hugged joyfully as a loving father and son. It was a day to remember.
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Jim glanced at Blair, wondering if he was alright. He hadn't spoken two words on the drive to the auditorium, and that just wasn't like Sandburg.
“Jim ... I'm alright,” whispered Blair.
Jim couldn't help the small grin, as his guide had once again seemed to read his mind. The grin slowly faded though and troubled thoughts of another time resurfaced. He turned slightly to Blair and whispered, “I just wish ...”
Blair whispered back, “I know, but it's alright, Jim. I wouldn't exchange where I am - for where I might be - if things had gone differently.”
“But you should have gotten the PhD. You certainly deserve it.”
“Jim, I like being a Consultant. I did manage to accumulate a few more Masters Degrees.” Blair grinned as he continued, “It makes me extremely well-rounded educationally.”
Jim huffed gently and leaned his shoulder against the shorter man's. “You were never 'well-rounded'. You were always the 'square-peg-in-a-round-hole' - and I think you liked it that way.”
Blair flicked Jim an amused glance, “I don't have to admit anything, man. I'm 'taking the fifth'. Maybe my job seemed to be an odd fit, but being your guide always felt right, man.”
Jim's 'lean' got a little more emphatic, as he whispered in his ear, “Right for us both.”
That admission meant a lot to Blair and he suddenly found himself at a loss for words. He could only smile.
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finis
Note for those readers not familiar with the quote: “taking 'the fifth'”
From WordWeb (the underline and bold font choice is mine, for the pertinent part of this definition):
Fifth Amendment: An amendment to the Constitution of the United States that imposes restrictions on the government's prosecution of persons accused of crimes; mandates due process of law and prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy; requires just compensation if private property is taken for public use.