First came the surprised yell of pain followed by the hot pyrex pan being slammed angrily on the stove top, then a litany of most interesting expletives. Why didn't manufacturers have the sense to make pot holders a decent size to fit a person's hand? The thing had shifted just slightly allowing Blair's left palm to come into contact with the corner of the four-hundred degree baking dish.
Jim Ellison had heard Blair's cry. And not because of his sentinel abilities. There was every possibilty that every person at 852 Prospect heard as well.
In the few seconds that it took Jim to come from upstairs to the kitchen Blair was already at the sink running cold water over the angry looking red mark on his hand.
Jim appeared behind him easing his own fingers around Blair's wrist. "Let's have a look at that, Chief."
Blair turned to face his friend. Sensing Jim taking a major plunge into mother hen mode he forced a smile. "It's not so bad, really..."
"Try that on someone who'll believe it." Jim was now heading for the bathroom medicine cabinet. He returned with a tube of burn cream.
Blair watched intently as Jim opened the tube setting the cap aside and squeezed just the right amount onto his fingertips. He set the tube aside and with infinite gentleness massaged the cream into the reddened skin.
Blair hissed at the contact. "If you have any tricks up your sleeve to relieve the pain let me know. This really hurts."
"Sorry, Chief, I..." Jim paused. Remembering something, he chuckled affectionately. "Well, there is something Sally used to do when I was a kid. I guess it helped. Nah. Forget it." Jim shrugged and continued his ministrations.
"Jim, man, come on. Whatever it is. I boil twigs. Remember?"
Jim laughed at this. "Okay, since you are into alternative treatments." Growing serious Jim raised Blair's hand to his face, brushing a soft kiss onto the burned flesh and again. Wordlessly, he lowered his friend's hand and returned to the task of the cream.
Blair gazed in wonder at Jim. The tender gesture really had not erased the pain. Yet the force that was this man's love surrounded him dulled it by comparison. Maybe that's how it worked. "Thanks, Big Guy," he said softly.
THE END