Exposure (Sentinel story)

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Fanfiction
Title: Exposure
Author(s): Donna Jones
Date(s): 21 February 2001
Length: 13080 words
Genre(s): slash
Fandom(s): The Sentinel
Relationship(s): Jim/Blair
External Links: Exposure on AO3

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Exposure is a Jim/Blair story by Donna Jones. It was originally posted to 852 Prospect and later imported to AO3.

Summary:

This is Jim and Blair, dealing with Sentinel, Too and TSbBS.

Author's Comments

Of all the Sentinel stories I wrote, I think this one is my favorite.[1]

Reactions and Reviews

Why you should read this: This is wow. This is the stuff. Hard-core, gritty, semi-dysfunctional Jim and Blair, both of them talking and acting like men, sniping at each other and being difficult. This is the one of most realistic Jims I've seen written: a hardass, a cop, a guy fucked up by his father and emotionally shuttered. A guy who gets irritated and frustrated even with those he loves the most. This is also one of the few stories so far--along with Merry's A Quiet War--that makes me believe that Jim and Blair could have had a relationship during the whole diss debacle; where in fact the relationship actually clarifies the whole situation, so that you go, oh, yeah, that explains it.

You should also read this because it has kickass verbal fights--bang bang bang--and tension, and anger sex. It's all too rare to see sex motivated by some other dynamic, fueled by anything except the softer emotions. So good to see it here. And despite what the author says, the ending rocks. Because you know Jim's 'gift' won't really tie things up in a neat little bow--not given the characterization established here. Heh.

What might throw you off stride: All the stuff I mentioned above, you wuss.[2]

I’m a sucker for stories where the angst is thick but everything isn’t totally bleak and hopeless. This lovely, angsty, slash story is a perfect example of the type.

It’s also got the characteristic push-and-pull of Jim and Blair’s relationship; except here, they’re angry and lashing out and they don’t spare each other.

Neither has a clue how to deal with the appalling consequences of Blair’s dissertation becoming public and to complicate matters, Jim’s father wades in with his usual talent for making people feel good about themselves.

Although it’s painful to read in places, there’s a thread of hope that pulls the reader along through the slough of angst, as Jim consciously holds to the one certainty in his life.[3]

I really love this story. They sound just right, exactly like guys and unable to communicate about emotional matters. The hopeful endings, with Jim's dad and Blair's impending 'surprise', justifies the positive notes underlying all the bleakness.[4]

References

  1. ^ Comment by Donna Jones, Archived version at Crack Van. Posted 21 August 2007.
  2. ^ eliade. "Sentinel Recs 2001". Archived from the original on 2001-04-11.
  3. ^ Exposure by Donna Jones (R), Archived version at Crack Van. Posted 17 August 2007.
  4. ^ Exposure by Donna Jones (R), Archived version at Crack Van. Posted 18 August 2007.