Devil's Silver #11: Love Is (Teaser)
By Carol M.
Summary: A tragic accident threatens a marriage, a partnership and the very foundation of the Agency. Will Darien be able to be brought back from the dark side?
Rating: PG-13 for angst, angst and more angst. Some violence too.
Spoilers: prolly a few
Disclaimer: still don't own them damn it!
Devil's Silver Stories: Devil's Silver, Gilligan and Mrs. Howell, Follow the Breadcrumbs, Brother to Brother, A Tale of Two Brothers, Wicked Game, A Wedding Story, Uninvited, A Life for a Life and Storms of Quicksilver---all at fanfic.net under Carol except for Devil's Silver which was removed cuz of the NC-17 snafu—if you want that one, email me and I'll send it to ya
Note: Howdy all, I'm back. I know it's been awhile, but life has gotten super hectic. Thanks to all those who voted for me in the fan fic awards. That means a lot guys. Tear. Alright, enough mushiness. This bunny has been with me for quite some time, and I figure now is a good time to get it out there. As always with Devil's Silver, expect cliffhangers, action, comedy, tears, the works. This one takes place a year after Storms of Quicksilver. Darien still is afflicted with QSM, Arnaud is on the loose selling glands, Darien and Claire are married with little girl Katie, etc. Here's a little teaser to wet the appetite. I'll get the story rolling sometime next weekend. Enjoy folks! It's great to be back. Feels like coming home. I guess that's what Christmas is all about. I'll shut up now.
"What do you love about him, Claire? I mean what is it about Darien Fawkes that makes you love him so much?" asked Bobby, shifting his position on the counteragent chair.
A ghost of a smile appeared on Claire's face and her eyes grew distant, as if she were in another place. "The question is what don't I love about him. I always knew that when I met that perfect person, a soul mate as it were, that I would know. For the longest time I thought it was Kevin. But then Darien came into my life. Looking back, I realize the first time we locked eyes, I knew. But that's the thing about love. Just when you think you know exactly who it is you're searching for, something completely different comes into the picture. And the two of you don't make any sense. But then again, neither does love."
Bobby nodded, looking down. "You know how lucky that makes you?"
"What do you mean?" asked Claire.
"To have found that perfect person," said Bobby sadly. "Even just to have known them. Even if you never became lovers. Just to have so much love to give to someone, even if they won't accept it. I think I would rather go my whole life knowing that I have someone to love than to live my life with only myself to care about."
"It's complicated," said Claire.
"It's never complicated. When you love someone, you love them. For life. Even if you hate them, you still love them," said Bobby.
"Bobby…"
"You know I love you. You've always known that," said Bobby.
"Bobby I…."
"And maybe if this was another time, another place, hell, another lifetime, you could love me too," said Bobby.
Claire stared at him long and hard, a sparkling of tears appearing in her eyes. "Yes," she whispered.
Bobby smiled. "That's good to know. You have no idea how good that is to know."
Claire gave him a half smile in response and looked down. Bobby reached his hand out under her chin and gently pulled it up so they were looking each other in the eyes. "I'm gonna tell you something sweetheart."
"What's that?" asked Claire.
"Take your pretty head out of your pretty bum and don't waste the best thing that has ever happened to you. And you wanna know what that best thing is?" he said.
Claire nodded.
"That skinny, big-haired, loud mouthed, idiotic, punk partner of mine who has a penchant for getting his ass kicked and going off the deep end every couple of days. I think you know the rest," said Bobby.
Claire's face crumbled and she started to sob softly. "I can't. Not now, not after everything that's happened the last couple of weeks. It's just not right. It's not even bloody safe. It's not just me anymore, Bobby, it's Katie too. And I can't…I can't go through this whole thing again and neither can Darien. I have to draw a line somewhere."
"Doesn't he get a say?" said Bobby.
"It's better for both of us," said Claire.
"It may be better, but will it make you happy?" asked Bobby.
Claire looked away, suddenly very interested in the tile design on the floor.
"That's what I thought," said Bobby.
"It's too late now anyway. He's gone. He's never coming back," said Claire.
"You think that little see through punk can run from Bobby Hobbes? Besides, I already know where he is," said Bobby.
"I don't wanna know," said Claire quickly.
"Sure you do. You ache with how much you worry about him. You don't sleep at night because you're wondering where he is and if he's okay," said Bobby.
"So where is he?" asked Claire in a biting tone.
"He's with Arnaud. Joined forces with him," said Bobby matter of factly.
Claire violently shook her head. "I don't believe you."
"It's the truth, Claire. He did it for you and for Katie…and for,"
"Stop it! Just stop!" shouted Claire. "He can do whatever he wants. I don't care anymore. I don't care!"
"If you didn't care, you wouldn't be this angry," said Bobby.
"Go to hell," said Claire.
"Oh I'd say we're both already there Keep. The difference is you have a chance to make everything better. But me, I'm gonna be stuck on the sidelines watching the woman I love, love another man for the rest of my life. But that's okay, because I love you both, and I want you to be happy. And you make one another happy."
"Get out," said Claire sharply.
"You know it's true," said Bobby.
"I said get out!" said Claire.
"I'm going after him," said Bobby as he stood up from the counteragent chair. He gave Claire one final glance before walking out of the Keep.
As soon as the Keep door shut, Claire sunk down in the counteragent chair, hugged her knees tightly to her chest and cried.
TBC