Reading Room X - Crossover Stories - Intersections by Brenda Antrim

[nypagan.livejournal.com]

Title: Intersections
Author: Brenda Antrim
Pairing: Bodie/Doyle~Cade, Jim Ellison/Blair Sandburg
Link: Intersections

This story has more of a crossover of The Sentinel than last week’s stories. Once again, we find the boys separated from CI5 and each other by circumstances beyond their control. Bodie is employed in the private security sector/bodyguard field. Doyle has assimilated into the position of Chief Constable Alan Cade. They have been allowed no contact with each other since their separation. This is in the interest of international security and personal preservation of themselves, co-workers and family. Think Witness Protection Program.

They'd had eleven years. More than some marriages. It had been eight since they'd had to split. And he'd fought his own heart every single day of the full eight years.


Jim and Blair encounter Bodie at an International Law Conference. Bodie recognizes Jim from an Army training session they spent together many years previous. Bodie also is attracted to Blair in a way he can’t pinpoint. Something ... indefinable was catching Bodie's interest, arousing him and interesting him in a way he couldn't remember being caught in a very, very long time.

The three men enjoy dinner and drinks until shots are fired in the hotel and they are thrown into an international incident. Two men are kidnapped and Jim feels obligated to track the criminals and save the kidnapped men. Especially since the incident has occurred in Jim's 'territory’ or on his watch, if you prefer. Bodie offers his assistance, as his client is one of the hostages and Blair has no choice but to follow. During the search for the two hostages, Jim is increasingly unsettled by the 'scent' of one of the men. Bodie admires Jim and Blair's closeness as well as Jim's abilities as a Sentinel. Although he doesn't identify Jim and Blair as Sentinel and Guide, he does recognize their skills from his time in Africa. Once the trio finds the end of the trail, Bodie is shocked to discover his former lover and partner, Ray Doyle as the second hostage. Reunion and recovery ensue.

I like this story and I think Brenda is a good author. We don’t get an in-depth analysis of the characters. As a fan of each genre, I didn’t need it. I don’t think the lack of background information detracts from the understanding of the story. Bodie’s initial attraction to Blair was interesting, since she was trying to convey a 'sense' of recognition based on Doyle and Blair's relationship. Once Bodie discovered that the captured man is Doyle, whom he hasn’t seen in eight years, she brings forth Bodie’s instinctive protective streak for his partner. B&D’s private recovery scene (once they are at home in England) is beautifully written. As is Blair’s resolution to a lifelong question, which will no doubt come as a complete surprise to Doyle.

For me this story brings together four favorite characters into a plausible encounter. There is an extended version of this story where J&B go to England to visit B&D. It’s entitled Reunions, also available at the Circuit Archive.

Comments

[milomaus.livejournal.com]

Due to other Prosi activities the last few days I didn´t read the stories, and I´m not quite sure, if I remember them exactly, I think I mixed them up with some other stories...

But I very much like Brenda Antrims stories, and I will read them again next week, because of your reccing!

[nypagan.livejournal.com]

Thank you for commenting. If you have time, I recommend the extended version, because it gives us more Pros, B&D reunited and J&B in England.

[milomaus.livejournal.com]

I do wonder if I might have it right after all, this scent thingy....it´s the one with Doyle as Blair´s......(I don´t want to spoil it.), right?
The Caravan at the sea, where Doyle and Blair hide. And Bodie and Jim are searching for Blair?

[nypagan.livejournal.com]

I believe you are thinking of Gil Hale's In a Land of Shadow. Which was the story I originally planned to rec, but decided it was too long. Blair and Doyle's relationship is the same.

[milomaus.livejournal.com]

No wonder I mixed them up.
But I´ve read Reunion too, that´s probably why it felt mixed up...

I kinda like these crossovers, only just, well, I don´t think they mix too well.
It´s funny how american stories are way too black and white, whereas the Pros are all shades of grey.

[nypagan.livejournal.com]

You don't think these Pros/Chief&TS mix well or crossovers in general? How are they less grey than all Pros stories?

[milomaus.livejournal.com]

I don´t think Pros mix with TS that well, I like most crossovers, some more some less, but I think that american heroes ARE black and white mostly. Not in generall, and there are exeptions naturally, but I REALLY like the Prosi grey scale so much more.
Which doesn´t mean that I´m not reading the lovely stuff from TS, Riptide, H50......*g*

[moonlightmead.livejournal.com]

I thought I was getting confused. I saw how long that was, and read it early. Of the recent crossovers, it's actually the one I liked most, and I had thought I must have missed the discussion of it. (I know, I have missed a lot of them.)

But aha, obviously I am not quite as confused as I thought.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I read Reunions when I first came from TS to Pros because the author wrote great TS stories. I did enjoy this melding of the fandoms. Now I don't read TS but I skimmed the story to remember and it's a good read. It's hard to do a good crossover and this one does work for me. Thanks!

[nypagan.livejournal.com]

She does write good TS stories, and all her crossovers have worked for me. Gil Hale is another great TS/Pros writer. Happy it worked for you!

[merentha13.livejournal.com]

I liked this story. I don't know the TS universe, just from the various cross-overs done with Pro's - but it seems the characters fit well together. This one had me worried about Cade for awhile - got a bit bloody there. Brenda is a terrific writer and keeps the action going. Loved Bodie's initial attraction to Blair and Jim's immediate reaction to it! Good rec! Thanks! (and thanks for putting me on to "Reunions"!)

[nypagan.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you enjoyed the story. Reunions is a nice extension/resolution to Intersections. I had forgotten about the torture scene and should have posted a warning beforehand. It was pretty graphic. Sorry about that! I think she found a very plausible association for the characters. Especially Bodie and Jim. Meeting on a previous training assignment, since they both have sketchy military histories. Thanks for your comments.