Lean
on Me
by
Freya-Kendra
Rating: PG
Summary: A song on the radio during a rain-soaked drive inspires discussion
between Jim & Blair.
Disclaimer: Both the song and the characters are borrowed for the sake of
entertainment. No financial gains have been or ever will be made from this
story.
The drive was getting monotonous,
the talk, strained, and the steady beat of the windshield wipers was starting
to put Jim on edge. They reminded him too much of the timer ticking away the
last seconds on the bomb Joel had barely managed to diffuse just two days
earlier. The Cascade PD had saved the day once again. But it had been close,
too close. And Sandburg hadn't been the same since.
Accepting that even the inane
conversation they'd been having about the weather had reached an end, Jim
turned up the car radio. He was happy to hear the first strains of an old Bill
Withers tune. "Now that's the kind of music I'm talking about."
*Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain, we all have
sorrow. But if we are wise, we know that there's always tomorrow....*
Sandburg replied with a forced
smile, but his mind was clearly elsewhere. A split-second later, he was back to
gazing at the wet hills rolling past.
Sighing quietly, Jim left his
partner to his reverie and began to focus on the words to the song.
*Lean on me, when you're not strong and I'll be your friend,
I'll help you carry on; for it won't be long 'til I'm gonna
need somebody to lean on.*
"It's true you know," he
said then.
It took a moment before Sandburg
answered with a confused, "What?"
*Please swallow your pride, if have things you need to
borrow; for no one can fill those of your needs that you won't let show....*
Jim glanced his way and gave him a
quick smile. "We all have our moments. Sometimes we need someone to lean
on. I'm just saying...," he shrugged and returned his attention to the
road. "You can lean on me if you need to."
*You just call on me brother when you need a hand. We all
need somebody to lean on. I just might have a problem that you'll understand.
We all need, somebody to lean on....*
"Yeah, Jim," Sandburg
answered after awhile. "I know that."
"Do you?"
"Sure, man. I know you're
always there for me."
*Lean on me when you're not strong, and I'll be your friend.
I'll help you carry on; for it won't be long, `til
I'm gonna need somebody to lean on....*
"Uh
huh." Jim looked at him, audience to his
partner's `matter-of-fact' eyebrow raise and quick nod.
*You just call on me brother, if you need a hand. We all
need somebody to lean on....*
"Then why aren't you?"
Another quick glance proved his point. Sandburg's `deer-in-the-headlights'
expression was all the evidence he needed.
*I just might have a problem that you'll understand. We all
need somebody to lean on....*
"Come on, Sandburg. You think I
can't tell there's something wrong?"
*If there is a load you have to bear that you can't carry,
I'm right up the road. I'll share your load, if you just call me....*
Sandburg's smile was weak. "It's
nothing, man. Really."
*Call me, if you need a friend....*
"Yeah?"
*Call me....*
"Yeah, man. I'm okay."
*Call me....*
"Well, why don't you tell me
anyway?"
*Call me....*
Sandburg shrugged. His weak smile
turned into an appreciative one and he sagged back into his seat, the tightness
in his muscles visibly draining away."Sure.Why not?"
Jim turned off the radio and settled
in to listen.
~end~