Authors’ disclaimer: The Sentinel and all related characters are the property of Paramount Pictures and Pet Fly Productions. No copyright infringement intended.

WARNING: This story contains non-sexual, disciplinary spanking; it is slash and adult in nature.
 

Sitting at his desk, trying to avoid the whispers and glances cast his way, James Ellison tried to contain his short-temperament. No doubt his sullen and surly behavior the last few days had made most of Major Crimes aware that something was weighing heavily upon his shoulders. Sandburg especially, so in tune to his Sentinel's moods, almost to the point of annoying, tried to pull him out in conversation, subtle questions about how he was feeling, and if there was something he could do to help.

The only replies were self-reliant statements that all could be worked out alone and in time and no outside interference would be welcome.

Not one to just let things go, Blair tried to find a way around the problem that was coming between them.

Wednesday evening brought the matter to the head, or since Mohammed would not go to the mountain, Sandburg brought the mountain to Mohammed.

"You talked to your friend about me?" Jim asked as his voice rose slightly.

Blair took another bite of salad and answered, "Well, Jim, I just thought it would help if you talked to someone. Do you want more garlic bread?" The mundane exchange only irked Ellison more.

"Don't change the subject, Chief.  I do not like being talked about to your teacher buddies, and I don't need to talk to anyone."  Throwing his fork on the table in a fit of pique, he grabbed his beer and stormed over to the couch.

Standing up slowly, Sandburg moved towards the couch. Positioning himself on the coffee table, across from Jim's large form on the sofa, he placed both his hands on Jim's knees. Whisper soft, his voice tried for reason, "Please, Jim, talk to me. Tell me what's wrong. Let me help. You don't have to be the strong one all the time. Lean on me and we'll find the answer together."

Shaking with an inbred weariness, the stress of his job, the memories that pained beyond reason, he covered his face. Blair was beside him in an instant, holding, rocking, offering his lover strength in a warm embrace.

"I can't do this anymore," Ellison confided into the soft folds of his lover's shirt.

"It will be all right.  Sometimes just talking things out will make it so much easier.  You do not have to be the one in control all the time. Sometimes you have to let others step in and take care of you.  Let someone else make the decisions and take the burdens off  your shoulders for awhile.  You would be surprised at how calm and relaxed you will feel. I am to close to you emotionally to be objective. Will you talk to my friend? He will know how to help you through this.”

Jim pulled himself together and said that yes he would go. Blair hugged him again. Pulling himself together, making a show of self-containment by hardening his frame in an upright position, he nodded his head. It earned him a congratulatory hug, not that he would get the help he needed.

Jim was quiet as they cleaned the kitchen, while Blair chatted nonstop. Finally Jim asked, "Blair, did you really mean what you said about control?"

Blair put the plate he was drying on the counter and answered, "Yes, I did. You do not have to be the tough cop 24-7. I feel more at ease in my everyday life knowing that you take control over certain aspects of my life and with the set of rules that we set up. Maybe you would benefit from that also."

"What exactly are you suggesting?" Curious now, Jim led them both to the couch and pulled Blair down to snuggle and talk.

Maybe you can turn your control over to me when it comes to your welfare. I can tell when you are not eating right or sleeping and if you had someone to watch your back, so to speak, then it would take away the pressure. We could set up rules for you, or you could share mine, and when things go wrong, you would be punished, too."

"You've given this a lot of thought haven't you? he teased. When he did not hear an answer, Jim lifted Blair's chin so that their eyes met.

Blair shyly said, "Yes."

“That seems fair enough. I agree we will share some of  the rules. Maybe for a few months, just to see how it works out." Jim felt like a weight had already  been lifted from his shoulders. When Blair smiled, Jim silently congratulated himself on saying just what Blair wanted to hear.  *If this will keep him happy, then I can go along with it until things blow over* he thought smugly. Anything to keep him happy.

"Great! This will work out, Jim, I promise." Blair turned to his lover and said in a firm voice, "The first thing I want you to do is go and see Alan on Friday. He is expecting you around 5 o'clock. The address is by the phone."

Friday evening, Blair heard the key slide into the lock on the door. He took a deep, calming breath before it opened.

Jim stepped in and saw Blair in the middle of the room. "How did your meeting go?" came Blair's voice.

Jim grabbed a beer from the fridge and after swallowing a big mouthful answered, "Great, he was a big help. We don't need anymore sessions."

"Oh really?"  Blair asked. "Alan left a message on the machine,  you never showed. Care to explain?"

Jim tried to shrug it off hoping Blair would drop the subject. "I thought we had a set of rules, one being no lies.  Do you have to obey any of them? Or do you get to pick and choose the ones that suit you?" Jim did not know how to respond to this so he
just stared at Blair.

Blair looked at Jim saying, "Come here."

Jim stared at him in disbelief and Blair had to say it again, the tone of his voice told Jim that it would not be repeated.

As Jim took a few unsure steps, he saw Blair holding the paddle that was used when rules were broken.

"Jim, you should have me told me the truth. I am not going to paddle you because this is the first time.  I’m not even sure you will let me. We talked about it just this week. You agreed to let me have some control over your behavior. Did you mean any of it?"

Jim nodded his head but remained quiet.

"We will talk about this later. For now, I think that you should stand in the corner.  That will give you time to think about our new arrangement, why you missed your appointment and most importantly, why you felt it was necessary to lie to me about it. While you are doing that, I will reheat your dinner.  After you eat you will shower and go straight to bed.  Remember this as a warning that if it ever happens again, you will be spanked. Do you understand me?"

Jim felt like a child but knew he was wrong. He turned as he said, "I'm sorry, Chief," and slowly made his way to the office. Standing with his face to the wall he knew how he had upset his Guide and partner and a heavy feeling came over him. *Is this how it feels when I punish you, Blair?* he wondered.

Blair was shocked that Jim actually did as he was told. *Is this how it feels to punish me, Jim?* he wondered.

"Come eat your dinner now, Jim." The voice of his Guide was stern but soft.

Jim made his way to the kitchen. Not able to look his lover in the eye, he sat at the table. Blair sat with him as he tried to eat.  Jim was silent and slowly finished his meal. As Blair left the table and walked to the sink, he told Jim to shower and then go to bed.

Blair then finished the dishes and after a long hot shower to clear his own thoughts, he joined his lover in the loft. They were in the same bed but not touching. He was not sure how Jim was reacting to all of this. After a few minutes Blair could not stand it any longer. He gathered Jim in his arms. He let out a pent up breath when he felt Jim’s arms fold around him. After he took a few breaths he started to speak in what he hoped was a confident voice. "Jim, I know we set up the rules for a purpose and I know this will work for us. I don't think that you should be held responsible for everything that you do, but I will not be lied
to."  By this time, Blair's heartbeat was rising but Jim was not sure if it was from nerves or anger.

"Chief," Jim snuggled closer and said softly, "I did not mean to lie to you it's just…"

"Hold it right there," Blair said, raising his voice. "This is not going to be a debate. You will not lie to me, period! The next time it
happens, you will be spanked. Is that clear?"

Jim just sighed and said that yes he understood. He ran his hands over the back of his lover he tried to calm both of their nerves.

"Will you please go and talk to Alan? You do not have to tell me anything about it, but you have to tell someone. Jim, it hurts me that you are hurting. Please let him help you."

Jim rocked Blair like a child and promised that he would call Alan for another appointment by the end of the week.

Blair was already making breakfast when Jim entered the kitchen. They shared an easy banter as they enjoyed the food. After a few days, life seemed to be getting back to normal. Blair had to be punished for not calling home and telling Jim that he would be late. He also earned 30 minutes in the corner when he reminded Jim that the same was in store for him if he broke that
rule.

As the week went by, Jim was slowly getting back into a sullen mood and Blair gave him Alan's address again.

"Just talk it out with him. You will be surprised at how it helps to get things out in the open. He is not there to judge you, just to listen and get you on track again. I don't want to nag you about this, but I won't give up either." A kiss and hug later, Blair was out of the loft and on his way to the university for a full day of tests.

The next week, Jim was in the kitchen making a snack when Blair came home. After a hug and quick snuggle, Blair asked Jim how the session with Alan went.

"It was okay." Jim took a bite of the sandwich."

Blair asked, "Will there be more visits or are you finished?"

"One or two more should be all I need. Alan is really good."

"Try again," Blair said softly. "I saw Alan's receptionist in the hall today and she told me that you canceled."

Jim felt his stomach tighten, he knew that he was caught in a lie.

"I thought we talked about your telling the me the truth. Should we have the conversation again?"

Jim's movements froze as watched Blair reach for the paddle they kept on top of the refrigerator. "Did you think I was kidding?"

This is not good, Jim thought as Blair stepped closer. Maybe charm would help.

"Take off your jeans." Blair was firm and Jim knew that he meant business. This was not the time to argue.

Jim stared at Blair as if he had never seen a human before.  Then he heard one loud and angry word. "Now!"

Jim slowly put the sandwich down and reached for the snap at the waist of his  jeans. His hands shook and he tried to reason with Blair. "I can explain, Chief, if you give me a minute."

"It won't work, Jim, trying to get out of it doesn't work when I use it with you and it will not work for you, Get them off and lean over the counter."

The jeans slid to the floor and Jim surprised himself by turning around and leaning over. Blair took a deep breath and hoped he had it in him to punish his best friend and lover. He raised the hand that held the paddle. In a smooth downward motion, the paddle slammed into the tender flesh.  Jim hissed and then felt another.  Tears filled Blair's eyes as he saw pink turn to red. He watched as the paddle made contact and covered the entire area down to Jim’s thighs. After the tenth spank, Jim, in spite of vowing not to, was crying. As fast as it started, the spanking stopped. Jim turned around to find that his partner was shaking. He reached for Blair and they fell into each other's arms. Tears mixed with "I'm sorry" as they slid to the cool floor.

"Chief, I will never lie to you again, I promise."

"Shh, now. No talking.  Let me hold you and then we can talk later when you are calmer. Is that okay with you?" Blair was stroking Jim's hair and kissing his face as he rocked the crying man in his arms.

The next day, Jim brought a copy of the rules he and Blair set up. Still feeling the heat from yesterdays spanking, he slowly sat down next to Blair on the couch and handed him the paper. "Chief?"

Blair looked up from the paper to his lover's face and smiled as Jim asked in a soft voice. "Do you think we can erase the No Lying rule?"

THE END
I hope you have been entertained.
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