---

The phone kept ringing and ringing. Finally, Blair shook his head in disgust as yet another answering machine message clicked on. "Simon? This is Blair. Come on, man! Pick up! Look, I don't know *what's* going on, but I can't reach *anyone.* I give up." And he slammed down the receiver.

Jim came out of his dressing room, where he'd put the final touches on his outfit.

"Simon wasn't there, either?" He sounded disappointed. "What is up with *that*? We *told* him."

"I know. Maybe something's happening at the station and they didn't want to...you know. Drag us away?"

Jim shrugged. "I'm sure they *all* have good reasons. *Airtight*, even." Jim bit his lip.

"Oh, James." He wrapped his arms around his lover, careful not to wrinkle the fine linen suit. "I know those guys. They wouldn't do this to us, to you."

"You have *so* much to learn, baby." He gave a tight-lipped smile, and then kissed Blair on the cheek. "Now, let's see how you look."

Blair let go and stepped back. He was wearing a plaid cotton shirt in all the colors of the rainbow over a pale purple t-shirt and a pair of khakis. "Is this okay?"

"This is *beautiful*. Those jerks don't know *what* they're missing. But do you *have* to tie your hair back?"

Blair put on a grin and loosened his curls. "Better?"

"Oh, yeah. No one will even *see* me."

"Right." He flipped his hair back over his shoulders. "We'd better get a move on. They expect us early."

"They can't start without us, darling. They wouldn't *dare*."

Even so, he pinned a red ribbon to his jacket and picked up his car keys. Blair put on his own ribbon and followed him out the door, casting one more look at the telephone as he did.

************************

As soon as they got out of the truck, they were ambushed by someone in black crinolines, a small basket hooked over one arm.

"You two look simply *delicious* - especially *you*, Blair. You absolutely *need* to wear more colors."

"He is *not* resurrecting that vest *again*, Miss Melly. And *when* are you going to get out of that...dull stuff?"

"Soon, darling. But right now...all I can think is that my poor Freddie would have been *so* proud of you today."

"You think?"

"I *know*. Isn't that right, Buster?" He reached into the basket to retrieve a half-grown black kitten. "He wanted to see Auntie Jim and Uncle Blair today, didn't you?"

Blair grinned. "You just wanted to coordinate with the cat, didn't you?"

"Why, how*ever* did you guess? I must fly, darlings. I have *so* much to do." He allowed Jim and Blair to pat Buster once each and then tripped off, long lace veil trailing behind him.

They stared after him for a bit.

Jim shook his head. "She's trying *so* hard, but I don't think her heart's quite into the role right now. I'm so glad we gave her that kittycat."

"He's right, you know. Miss Freddie would have been shepping naches about you."

"Come again, Chief?"

Blair grinned. "Pride, Jim. It's all about pride."

"That it is."

They made their way through the increasing crowd, stopping to exchange hugs and kisses with half the people they met.

"Jim! We're over here!"

Jim turned his head, and his face blossomed into a huge smile. He ran towards the voice, Blair doing his best to keep up. The group standing in the corner began waving and jumping up and down.

"Now how come I can't get Timothy to dress like you, Jim?" Lisa Martin grinned under her big straw hat. Her husband shot her a look and then strode to them both.

"We wouldn't miss this for anything, guy." He reached out to take their hands, and then shrugged. "What the hell." He pulled Jim to him and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm proud to be your friend, Jim. Yours, too, Blair." He clasped Blair's hand. "This is *your* day."

They exchanged more greetings with the Glasses and the two boys, who were festooned with ribbons and carrying rainbow balloons. They even had signs with them, proclaiming "We Love You, Jim and Blair!"

"Did you paint those, Jacob?"

"Who else? Although I can't claim credit for TJ and Zacky's masterpiece." The two boys carried a banner covered with rainbows and shouting their love for "Auntie Jim", "Uncle Blair" and "Aunt Mellie".

Jim pulled out a handkerchief and carefully dabbed at his eyes, managing not to smear his eyeliner as he did. "This means so much. I love all of you, too."

Blair just exchanged grins with the others. "It's getting to be time, James."

"Aren't they just *wonderful*, darling?"

Jim allowed himself to be dragged away.

"The best, Jim. The very best."

"Yeah, they are." He was silent for a moment. "Better than some."

"Jim, I'm *sure* something came up."

"Yeah, *of course*." He shook his head and took Blair's hand again. "There are Ron and Evie. Oooh, doesn't Evie look *pretty*?"

Lady Eve wore a pale blue floral jumper, a matching lace blouse and a straw hat that rivaled Lisa's - and he did indeed look pretty. His dress fluttered perfectly in the slight breeze.

"Oh, thank *God*! I was so *worried* about you girls. We only have a few minutes. I didn't know *what* we would do."

Jim smiled and hugged her. "Have I *ever* let you down, Evie?"

"No, and you'd better *not* start now." He gave Jim a tap on the shoulder. "Blair, you look *perfect*...but perhaps you should tie your hair back so everyone can see your beautiful face?"

Blair shivered as Jim ran a hand through his curls. "I like it *just* this way, baby."

Evie giggled. "You have a point...it will blow around nicely."

Just ahead of them, a band consisting entirely of three women dressed in black leather began to play. "Oh, dear. The Dyke Fife and Bugle Corp really need to practice a bit more..."

Blair had to agree, especially since what they lacked in talent they made up for in volume.

Ron smiled. "What do you expect, Evie? They only formed it two days ago. Ladies, you'll be walking right behind them. Here, this is for you." He draped a banner over Jim's shoulder, and put a matching rainbow striped top hat on his head. "Perfect, Grand Marshal."

"This means *so* much to me, Ron. I'm overwhelmed." Jim had his handkerchief out again.

"You deserve it, Jimmy. You both do. Club Purple and the Stonewall Pride organization believes in honoring its own."

Jim bit his lip. Blair patted his back. "You do, you know. You really do."

"And this is for you, Blair, darling." Evie handed him a multicolored bouquet.

"I'll carry it with pride."

"Good. We have to get to the grandstand now. Parade's about to begin."

Ron and Lady Eve ran to the beachers that had been set up at the entrance to Club Purple, and climbed the steps to the microphones. There were TV cameras set up around the area, and reporters chatting into them or to tiny reporters. To Blair's wonder, no one seemed to consider any different than any other "ethnic" parade. Maybe things had changed. Then he remembered his fruitless phone calls and wondered.

The Dyke Fife and Drum Corp lined up, and gave them thumbs up signs. They took their places behind them, holding hands.

Ron and Evie stood side by side and waved at the crowds lining Stonewall Street. Ron raised his microphone.,

"Ladies and gentlemen, Club Purple and the Stonewall Street Pride Association welcome you to the 14th Annual Cascade Pride Parade!"

Blair kept a tight hold on Jim's hand as the crowd's roar turned to thunder, making sure Jim would not be overwhelmed by the noise.

"This year, our grand marshal is, as always, one of our own. But he's more than one of our own...he's one of the Cascade's own, the finest of Cascade's finest - Detective James Ellison and his partner, Dr. Blair Sandburg!"

Jim waved his hand under the onslaught of sound, then he leaned to shout in Blair's ear. "Too bad my father's out of town this weekend."

Blair looked at him. "He *still* doesn't know?"

Jim shook his head.

"We *have* to talk, James. Later!"

Jim nodded and kept waving. Blair shook his bouquet since his other hand was occupied.

Evie waved her hands and the crowd settled down. "And we have a surprise for Jim and Blair. We're not the only ones who think of you as the best of the best, the creme de la creme! Ladies and gentlemen, may we present our special guests - Captain Simon Banks and the Cascade Police Major Crimes Unit!"

"Oh, my God! Jim! It's them!"

And it was...Henri, Rafe, Megan, Joel and Simon, with Daryl next to him, came running out of the club, wearing a rainbow of t-shirts that said CPD Major Crimes Unit in back.

Next thing Blair knew, they were surrounded by their friends, slapping their shoulders. "Surprised you, didn't we?" Daryl jumped around them, a huge grin on his face.

"Don't *ever* do that *again*. Simon, darling, I was thinking the *absolute* worst of *all* of you."

This time, Jim obviously didn't care about his makeup. Blair fished a tissue out of his pocket and cleaned him up (to the collect "awwwws" of the nearest crowd.)

Jim was too busy scolding Simon to notice.

Simon just stood there and grinned. "Now you know better, right?"

"I'll never doubt you again." Jim hugged him tightly, to more cheers.

"Don't you dare kiss me, Ellison."

Jim nodded, but snuck a peck in anyway. Someone must have signaled the three women, because they began playing again, and the parade began.

Jim and Blair walked the entire route with the rest of the unit, arm in arm.

Copyright 2000 Debra Fran Baker and NightRoads Associates

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