Voices
in the Sky by Just a
little something written in honor of Gray and my sisters at the Cats Eye
site. Many thanks to K for agreeing to beta this and to Iris for sharing her vast
scientific knowledge. Disclaimer:
Lyrics and the title are borrowed from "Voices in the Sky" by The Moody
Blues. The boys are from that little show owned by Pet Fly, Paramount, and others.
No copyright infringement intended. Warnings: None Spoilers:
A small reference to Murder 101 Rating: G Bluebird,
flying high Tell me what you sing If you could talk to me What news
would you bring Of voices in the sky He
walked along the shoreline. The salty sea breeze tousled his long hair about his
face, yet he made no move to brush it away. His thoughts were so intense he did
not notice the lone figure watching him from the distance. He finally stopped
and looked towards the horizon of the ocean before him. After a few minutes, he
lowered himself to the sand, bringing his legs up, leaning his elbows on his knees
and propping his chin in his hands. His gaze never left the sea. When
the young guide came to a stop in his walk, the sentinel was instantly on alert.
As soon as the kid sat down, Jim began making his way over to him. He unconsciously
monitored Blair's heart rate and breathing as he approached. Once satisfied that
all was well, he slowed his pace and waited for an invitation to sit beside his
friend. He didn't wait long. Blair looked over at Jim with a small lopsided grin
and patted the ground next to him, "Pull up some sand and take a load off.
I see you had no trouble finding me." "Chief,
I AM a sentinel AND a detective. If I can't find YOU, we're both in trouble,"
Jim replied as he sat on the sun dried sand and removed his shoes and socks. There
was a slight chuckle and Blair's chin returned to his hands. "Is
something wrong, buddy? I thought you were going out tonight. Plans change?" Sandburg's
gaze remained locked on the sea. "No. I just wasn't in the mood for another
lecture on the sociological effects of relocation upon the former inhabitants
of the Bikini Atoll. I guess I've just got some things on my mind that made it
hard to concentrate." "Cant
concentrate on *the former inhabitants of the Bikini Atoll*? Now I am worried."
Jim reached over and placed a sandy palm on Blair's forehead with exaggerated
concern. Blair swatted his hand away and glared at him as Jim snickered and used
the back of his fingers to brush the loose sand from his guide's face. Companionable
silence resumed as both men returned to their watch of the crashing waves. The
next words from the sentinel were quietly spoken. "I followed you here because
you seemed a little out of it when you left the loft. After everything going on
with Ventriss and the university and all... well, I... I guess I was checking
in with you. I probably shouldn't have intruded, but I just needed to touch base.
We haven't talked much in the last few days and I don't want to repeat past mistakes." There
was no answer but soon the sentinel felt Blair shift his weight and lean affectionately
into his side. Finally, after several minutes, Sandburg spoke softly, "I
sometimes forget, you know. I get so wrapped up in the scientist mode that I forget." "Forget
what, buddy?" "How
amazing all this is. How incredible the whole thing should be to witness." "Uh
huh, yep, you've done it." Dark
blue eyes blinked. "Done what?" "Lost
me. Totally lost. I don't have a clue what you're talking about, Chief." "Oh.
Sorry. Umm... it's like this, man, sometimes I forget how *special* you are. I
mean as a totally unique person, Jim. Forget the science and the tests and all
that. Just knowing you makes me think differently about stuff. Like coming out
here, for instance. I can only hear and see what's right before me. But you, you
can probably see where those seagulls are going above that rise. You can use your
sense of hearing and know what life is lurking around nearby. You don't need a
sonar, man. You could see ships so far away they look like specks on the horizon
to me. I bet you can focus on that big boat out there and tell me what those people
are doing... what they can see, what they are talking about." Blair sighed
and sat quietly once again. Jim
relaxed beside Sandburg and thought about his friend's words. If he was perfectly
honest, he would have to admit that there were many times he took his own gift
for granted or even cursed it. It took time with his guide, quiet times like this,
to help center him and keep his sentinel head on straight. As if to prove to himself
his guide's instincts were right, he threw open his senses and absorbed everything
he could from the moment. Just
what is happening to me I lie awake with the sound of the sea Calling
to me The waves crashed on the
shore nearby and he could hear individual shells grinding the sand as they were
swept further inland. The spray of the water had the effect of crystals, droplets
acting as individual prisms creating scores of miniature rainbows. Sea birds spoke
to one another of the mysteries only they could know. Further out in the depths
of the ocean, he could hear the sounds of the larger animals. Gigantic fish darted
and splashed as they continued the ages old roles of predator and prey. The boat
on the horizon which his best friend had pointed out had children aboard. Their
happy voices drifted over him and if he cared to do so he could distinguish the
words and the songs that swirled around them. Suddenly, he was a part of it all
and the call of the sea itself threatened to overwhelm him.....sent him searching,
searching, until he found it. The cadence which forever grounded him and brought
him back. His guide's heartbeat thrummed reassuringly in his ears as he drew in
a breath and retreated back into himself. "So,
what are they talking about?" Blair leaned even further into his sentinel
and whispered conspiratorially. "Hmmm...?" "The
people on the boat, man. What are they saying? Don't you ever want to know *what*
regular people like that are up to, where they're from, who they *are*?" "No,
Chief. I don't. That's why *I'M* the sentinel and *YOU'RE* the anthropologist."
With his reply, he suddenly shifted his weight and watched with great amusement
as his guide flopped over into the sand. In one graceful move, Jim was on his
feet, grabbing his shoes and sprinting toward their vehicles. Behind him, he could
hear the muffled laughter and muttered expletives of his brother as he took up
the chase. Voices in the Sky
by Justin Hayward Bluebird,
flying high Tell me what you sing If you could talk to me What news
would you bring Of voices in the sky Nightingale,
hovering high Harmonize the wind Darkness, your symphony I can hear
you sing Of voices in the sky Just
what is happening to me I lie awake with the sound of the sea Calling
to me Old man, passing by
Tell me what you sing Though your voice be faint I am listening Voices
in the sky Children with a skipping
rope Tell me what you sing Play time is nearly gone The bell's about
to ring Voices in the sky Just
what is happening to me I lie awake with the sound of the sea Calling
to me Bluebird, flying high
Tell me what you sing If you could talk to me What news would you bring
Of voices in the sky Voices in the sky Voices in the sky Voices in
the sky The End |