Debriefing
by mardel
Spoliers for all season two, Rated PG now but I don't know what will
happen in the future of this story, it's not finished. This story
refers to my story Unexpected but you don't have to have read it to
understand this one.
Eberts knew about Darien and Robert. He wasn't surprised, he'd picked
up on Darien's feelings for Robert months ago.
He did feel sorry for Alex, she'd almost found the man that could
give her what she appeared to need. He sighed and returned to his
desk. There was nothing he could do for her. Even if he wanted to.
Which he did, but that was even more absurd than Darien and Robert
pairing off. Alex was still assigned to the State
Department, she would be gone again in a few days.
Alex walked towards her old office, she still kept her things there,
even after she'd been reassigned. She was officially an employee of
the Agency.Her dinner with Darien and Hobbes had been interesting.
They did love one another. She was surprised they could manage to
keep their hands off each other when they were out in public.
She'd been looking over some computer files when there was a knock at
her door.
"Come in."
"Agent Monroe, nice to see you again. The Official wanted me to pass
these memos on to you, a few policy statements." He walked into her
office and lay them on the corner of her desk.
"How have you been Eberts?" She studied him as he crossed the room.
There was something a little different about him, but she wasn't sure
what is was.
"I'm well thank you. May I say you're undercover persona is very
interesting."
Eberts liked her with long hair, not that he'd ever say so.
"Thanks, sit down for a minute. Tell me what's been going on around
here.?"
"I believe Claire has already told you about the change in Darien's
situation. He no longer needs counteragent."
"Yeah, right. We got some money for that case in San Francisco, but
those are the only things I've heard about. You look different, why
is that?"
Eberts had taken up rock climbing, well artificial rock climbing at
the local YMCA, he'd decided for his new year resolution he'd learn
to do something besides get to the 12th level of Tomb Raider. As a
consequence he'd lost a little over ten pounds and toned up. He
didn't think that was what was different about him. He'd just gotten
a hair cut, perhaps.
"I don't believe there is anything different about my appearance,
perhaps it's just that you've been gone."
"No, there's something. Do you have a new lady in your life?"
"No, I'm unattached. Well if you there isn't everything you need I'll
just go back to my office." Eberts stood.
That was it, he looked taller, no trimmer. Not that he'd been pump
like the boss but next to Darien almost everyone looked heavy. She'd
even mistaken Hobbes's outdated jackets as an attempt to hide a
paunch, she'd been way off with that one.
Hobbes was in as good shape as Fawkes, only he didn't flaunt it as
often.
"I know you've taken up pumping iron, " Alex stood up and walked
towards him . Eberts backed up.
"Easy there Albert, I'm not going to jump you." She did a quick turn
around him and nodded, "looking good seriously what are you doing?"
"I took up rock climbing at the Y, it's a bit of a rush." He
admitted.
"Good for you, keep at it, everyone should have a hobbie that makes
the blood get pumping." Alex smiled at him.
"Yes, well thank you. Good bye." Eberts blinked then turned to leave.
"Albert?"
"Yes Miss Monroe?"
"I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, but I can see a change in the way
you carry yourself." She complemented him.
"Not at all," He nodded and go the heck out of there.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Alex was gone two days later and he tried very hard to put the little
scene in her office out of his mind. He did continue the rock
climbing classes, he enjoyed the rush, it was
fun. It was the only time he allowed himself away from his pager the
few hours he spent at the Y each week.
Darien and Hobbes were sent to the east coast to help with a tricky
assignment. Alex returned from her undercover assignment at the end
of the day one Thursday. She seemed stressed.
"Eberts, is the Official in?"
"No, I'm afraid he's not, he's on the east coast."
"Are Fawkes and Hobbes around?"
"No, I'm sorry they are also on the east coast."
"Great, thanks." She turned and walked out. But she was back again an
hour later. She'd come to speak with Claire, she needed to talk to
someone that had clearance. Claire was also missing, but for another
reason. She was at a medical conference in St Louis.
"Miss Monroe, do you need anything before I leave?" Eberts found her
in the lab.
"No, not unless you're cleared to debrief me."
"I can if you wish, but you'll still have to debrief with the
Official when he returns."
Eberts didn't like the tremor he saw in her hand. Something very
serious must have happened on her mission.
"Perhaps if you sat down." He pulled out a chair for her.
"Thanks, ah could I talk to you for a minute?" Alex swallowed and
looked into his eyes. Eberts was the last person she wanted to talk
to about this, well no Darien would be the absolutely last person. He
wouldn't be able to keep from razing her about it.
Eberts didn't do that, he kept confidential information secret. Maybe
he would be a good person to talk to after all.
Eberts was waiting he knew she was thinking, he was patient.
"Ah you know about the undercover assignment I was on?" Alex started.
"Yes, I read the file when it was forwarded over to the Official for
approval." Eberts nodded.
"Things got very intense at the end there the last three days I
wasn't sure if my cover had been blown or not. I was trying to
maintain my cover and protect the daughter of the ambassador at the
same time. The left wing group that was planning on kidnaping
her to use as a bargaining chip against her mother, made an attempt,
but the fools sent in an inapt team for the snatch. One of them did
manage to grab her, then he almost killed her on his ill planned
escape from the building. If I'd been a few seconds later."
Alex shook her head, remembering the look of fear on the little girls
face.
"I'm sorry, but you did reach her in time. The summary report came
this morning."
"Yeah, she's okay, but it was close." Alex looked back at him.
"You were the perfect agent for that assignment, you foiled the
attempt and managed to capture three of the group that planned the
kidnaping." Eberts praised her work.
"Thanks, it was just so close. I hate putting innocent kids at risk.
When I told my superior that he was a pig headed jack ass for risking
the girls life that way, he wasn't pleased."
Alex leaned forward and tried to relax, she forced out a breath.
"Sometimes the methods our bosses go to seem like they've gone to
far. I argued with The Official when he denied Claire the option of
freeing Darien from his quicksilver madness. But he stood his ground,
more worried about the big picture than just the effect
it would have on one agent."
"He denied Claire permission?" Alex looked up. She hadn't heard about
that.
"Yes, but she couldn't live with his decision, so she gave Darien the
treatment anyway knowing she would lose her job." Eberts explained.
"But she's still here?"
"Yes, well Darien blackmailed the Official into rehiring her. He
agreed to return to the Agency if Claire got her job back and a few
other things." Eberts smiled.
"Thanks Albert, I appreciate you listening to me and filling me in.
Why are you here this late if the boss is out of town?"
"Holding down the fort." He shrugged.
Alex nodded, she liked loyalty in a person.
"It's past seven, want to go to dinner with me?" She asked rather
impulsively.
Eberts was surprised by her offer. Agents didn't socialize with
the 'paper pushers' usually. "It's kind of you to offer, but you
don't have to fain interest in ..."
"Hold on, I know I treated you and everyone else around here badly
when I first arrived. I'm sorry about that, I'd like to start over.
If you'd rather not spend an hour or so eating together, that's
fine. I understand." Alex realized she'd put her foot in her mouth.
Eberts remained quiet, he was considering how to answer her offer. He
did want to accept but he wasn't sure it would be wise of him. He
already had a bit of a thing for Agent Monroe, spending more time
with her would probably just make things more difficult for him.
Alex studied him as he thought her explanation over. After her
disastrous relationships with men, she'd pretty much sworn off
becoming involved on a personal level. If things with Hobbes had
been allowed to continue, if she'd been assigned locally.
But he was very happy with Darien, she'd know all along that if he'd
just let his guard down, his thief of a partner would sneak in and
steal his heart.
The man before her was another story, she didn't really know much
about him. She knew he was intelligent, hard working and loyal.
Physically he was somewhere between Hobbes and Darien, just a little
under six foot, very expressive eyes, what was it with the men at
this place and their eyes. Alex had never found reading the
men around her so simple. Even with Hobbes, who was more practiced at
hiding his feelings. Albert was her age give or take a few years,
and he was likable, she'd liked him from the beginning.
"Agent Monroe, where did you have in mind for dinner?" Eberts
finally answered her.
"Anywhere, I'm sure you know more about the local restaurants than I
do."
"Well what are you hungry for?" Albert asked, then blanched. That
was a leading question if it was interrupted wrong.
Alex let the great opening line pass. She didn't want to make him
uncomfortable now that he'd agreed to let her try and start
over. "You choose, I like almost anything."
Alex drove, she was glad to be back in the same town with her
Corvette, she did miss driving her own car. Albert guided her to a
popular local restaurant that served several different types of food.
"Hey, I've heard about this place. They're supposed to have great
food." Alex parked the car.
Albert didn't manage to open her car door for her, but he did hold
the door they entered thru, "Miss Monroe."
"Thank you Sir." she smiled. If he wanted to be a gentlemen she was
fine with that, so long as he didn't take things to far.
"Albert I think you can call me Alex, I notice you call Hobbes by his
first name."
"Yes, well if you like."
They were shown to a table and provided menus, a hostess took their
drink order.
Alex got wine, Albert settled for a draft.
"I've noticed you never call Hobbes by his first name, may I ask
why?"
"I don't know I just like Hobbes, he's never struck me as a Bobby. I
never understood a grown man's desire to be called the diminutive of
his name. Unless it's by someone very close to them, it seems like
familiarity that isn't deserved. You don't call him Bobby either."
She reminded him.
"You're right." He nodded and returned to reading his menu.
They placed their orders, and then grew quiet. Alex as trying to
relax, but she'd invited him to join her so she should at least make
an attempt at small tall.
"I was thrilled to heard about Claire finding the treatment to
release Darien from the QS madness." She spoke quietly, just in case.
"Yes, we were all happy for him. And it did turn out well in the
end."
"Have you been on any field missions recently?"
"No, after the last one, I've tried to stay away from field work."
"We all have our special talents." She assured him.
"Will you be staying with us for awhile, now that the undercover
mission is done?" Eberts hadn't heard any rumors about her next
assignment.
"I don't know, I usually can pick up something about what's in store
for me on my next assignment, but I don't know anything." Alex toyed
with her wine glass.
They talked during the meal, covering topics as far ranging as
foreign policy and the current state of relations in the mid east, to
favorite books and music.
Over two hours past before, they left the restaurant.
" Thank you Albert, I guess I'll see you tomorrow, I have at least
one day here before I learn my next case assignment." Alex pulled
into the parking area beside the Agency building.
"I was nice discussing things with you. Maybe you'll get to stay with
us for a little while this time." Albert climbed up out of her
Corvette. "Good night."
"Night." Alex smiled at him as he closed the car door. She was
feeling a hundred percent better since her first arrival back from
her undercover assignment. She was looking forward to hopefully being
posted in San Diego.
Albert kept smiling all during his drive home. He'd really enjoyed
talking with Alex. But he'd been right about it being dangerous to
him, now he was even more smitten with the five star rated lady
agent.
end part one
by mardel
Spoliers for all season two, Rated PG now but I don't know what will
happen in the future of this story, it's not finished. This story
refers to my story Unexpected but you don't have to have read it to
understand this one.
Eberts knew about Darien and Robert. He wasn't surprised, he'd picked
up on Darien's feelings for Robert months ago.
He did feel sorry for Alex, she'd almost found the man that could
give her what she appeared to need. He sighed and returned to his
desk. There was nothing he could do for her. Even if he wanted to.
Which he did, but that was even more absurd than Darien and Robert
pairing off. Alex was still assigned to the State
Department, she would be gone again in a few days.
Alex walked towards her old office, she still kept her things there,
even after she'd been reassigned. She was officially an employee of
the Agency.Her dinner with Darien and Hobbes had been interesting.
They did love one another. She was surprised they could manage to
keep their hands off each other when they were out in public.
She'd been looking over some computer files when there was a knock at
her door.
"Come in."
"Agent Monroe, nice to see you again. The Official wanted me to pass
these memos on to you, a few policy statements." He walked into her
office and lay them on the corner of her desk.
"How have you been Eberts?" She studied him as he crossed the room.
There was something a little different about him, but she wasn't sure
what is was.
"I'm well thank you. May I say you're undercover persona is very
interesting."
Eberts liked her with long hair, not that he'd ever say so.
"Thanks, sit down for a minute. Tell me what's been going on around
here.?"
"I believe Claire has already told you about the change in Darien's
situation. He no longer needs counteragent."
"Yeah, right. We got some money for that case in San Francisco, but
those are the only things I've heard about. You look different, why
is that?"
Eberts had taken up rock climbing, well artificial rock climbing at
the local YMCA, he'd decided for his new year resolution he'd learn
to do something besides get to the 12th level of Tomb Raider. As a
consequence he'd lost a little over ten pounds and toned up. He
didn't think that was what was different about him. He'd just gotten
a hair cut, perhaps.
"I don't believe there is anything different about my appearance,
perhaps it's just that you've been gone."
"No, there's something. Do you have a new lady in your life?"
"No, I'm unattached. Well if you there isn't everything you need I'll
just go back to my office." Eberts stood.
That was it, he looked taller, no trimmer. Not that he'd been pump
like the boss but next to Darien almost everyone looked heavy. She'd
even mistaken Hobbes's outdated jackets as an attempt to hide a
paunch, she'd been way off with that one.
Hobbes was in as good shape as Fawkes, only he didn't flaunt it as
often.
"I know you've taken up pumping iron, " Alex stood up and walked
towards him . Eberts backed up.
"Easy there Albert, I'm not going to jump you." She did a quick turn
around him and nodded, "looking good seriously what are you doing?"
"I took up rock climbing at the Y, it's a bit of a rush." He
admitted.
"Good for you, keep at it, everyone should have a hobbie that makes
the blood get pumping." Alex smiled at him.
"Yes, well thank you. Good bye." Eberts blinked then turned to leave.
"Albert?"
"Yes Miss Monroe?"
"I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, but I can see a change in the way
you carry yourself." She complemented him.
"Not at all," He nodded and go the heck out of there.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Alex was gone two days later and he tried very hard to put the little
scene in her office out of his mind. He did continue the rock
climbing classes, he enjoyed the rush, it was
fun. It was the only time he allowed himself away from his pager the
few hours he spent at the Y each week.
Darien and Hobbes were sent to the east coast to help with a tricky
assignment. Alex returned from her undercover assignment at the end
of the day one Thursday. She seemed stressed.
"Eberts, is the Official in?"
"No, I'm afraid he's not, he's on the east coast."
"Are Fawkes and Hobbes around?"
"No, I'm sorry they are also on the east coast."
"Great, thanks." She turned and walked out. But she was back again an
hour later. She'd come to speak with Claire, she needed to talk to
someone that had clearance. Claire was also missing, but for another
reason. She was at a medical conference in St Louis.
"Miss Monroe, do you need anything before I leave?" Eberts found her
in the lab.
"No, not unless you're cleared to debrief me."
"I can if you wish, but you'll still have to debrief with the
Official when he returns."
Eberts didn't like the tremor he saw in her hand. Something very
serious must have happened on her mission.
"Perhaps if you sat down." He pulled out a chair for her.
"Thanks, ah could I talk to you for a minute?" Alex swallowed and
looked into his eyes. Eberts was the last person she wanted to talk
to about this, well no Darien would be the absolutely last person. He
wouldn't be able to keep from razing her about it.
Eberts didn't do that, he kept confidential information secret. Maybe
he would be a good person to talk to after all.
Eberts was waiting he knew she was thinking, he was patient.
"Ah you know about the undercover assignment I was on?" Alex started.
"Yes, I read the file when it was forwarded over to the Official for
approval." Eberts nodded.
"Things got very intense at the end there the last three days I
wasn't sure if my cover had been blown or not. I was trying to
maintain my cover and protect the daughter of the ambassador at the
same time. The left wing group that was planning on kidnaping
her to use as a bargaining chip against her mother, made an attempt,
but the fools sent in an inapt team for the snatch. One of them did
manage to grab her, then he almost killed her on his ill planned
escape from the building. If I'd been a few seconds later."
Alex shook her head, remembering the look of fear on the little girls
face.
"I'm sorry, but you did reach her in time. The summary report came
this morning."
"Yeah, she's okay, but it was close." Alex looked back at him.
"You were the perfect agent for that assignment, you foiled the
attempt and managed to capture three of the group that planned the
kidnaping." Eberts praised her work.
"Thanks, it was just so close. I hate putting innocent kids at risk.
When I told my superior that he was a pig headed jack ass for risking
the girls life that way, he wasn't pleased."
Alex leaned forward and tried to relax, she forced out a breath.
"Sometimes the methods our bosses go to seem like they've gone to
far. I argued with The Official when he denied Claire the option of
freeing Darien from his quicksilver madness. But he stood his ground,
more worried about the big picture than just the effect
it would have on one agent."
"He denied Claire permission?" Alex looked up. She hadn't heard about
that.
"Yes, but she couldn't live with his decision, so she gave Darien the
treatment anyway knowing she would lose her job." Eberts explained.
"But she's still here?"
"Yes, well Darien blackmailed the Official into rehiring her. He
agreed to return to the Agency if Claire got her job back and a few
other things." Eberts smiled.
"Thanks Albert, I appreciate you listening to me and filling me in.
Why are you here this late if the boss is out of town?"
"Holding down the fort." He shrugged.
Alex nodded, she liked loyalty in a person.
"It's past seven, want to go to dinner with me?" She asked rather
impulsively.
Eberts was surprised by her offer. Agents didn't socialize with
the 'paper pushers' usually. "It's kind of you to offer, but you
don't have to fain interest in ..."
"Hold on, I know I treated you and everyone else around here badly
when I first arrived. I'm sorry about that, I'd like to start over.
If you'd rather not spend an hour or so eating together, that's
fine. I understand." Alex realized she'd put her foot in her mouth.
Eberts remained quiet, he was considering how to answer her offer. He
did want to accept but he wasn't sure it would be wise of him. He
already had a bit of a thing for Agent Monroe, spending more time
with her would probably just make things more difficult for him.
Alex studied him as he thought her explanation over. After her
disastrous relationships with men, she'd pretty much sworn off
becoming involved on a personal level. If things with Hobbes had
been allowed to continue, if she'd been assigned locally.
But he was very happy with Darien, she'd know all along that if he'd
just let his guard down, his thief of a partner would sneak in and
steal his heart.
The man before her was another story, she didn't really know much
about him. She knew he was intelligent, hard working and loyal.
Physically he was somewhere between Hobbes and Darien, just a little
under six foot, very expressive eyes, what was it with the men at
this place and their eyes. Alex had never found reading the
men around her so simple. Even with Hobbes, who was more practiced at
hiding his feelings. Albert was her age give or take a few years,
and he was likable, she'd liked him from the beginning.
"Agent Monroe, where did you have in mind for dinner?" Eberts
finally answered her.
"Anywhere, I'm sure you know more about the local restaurants than I
do."
"Well what are you hungry for?" Albert asked, then blanched. That
was a leading question if it was interrupted wrong.
Alex let the great opening line pass. She didn't want to make him
uncomfortable now that he'd agreed to let her try and start
over. "You choose, I like almost anything."
Alex drove, she was glad to be back in the same town with her
Corvette, she did miss driving her own car. Albert guided her to a
popular local restaurant that served several different types of food.
"Hey, I've heard about this place. They're supposed to have great
food." Alex parked the car.
Albert didn't manage to open her car door for her, but he did hold
the door they entered thru, "Miss Monroe."
"Thank you Sir." she smiled. If he wanted to be a gentlemen she was
fine with that, so long as he didn't take things to far.
"Albert I think you can call me Alex, I notice you call Hobbes by his
first name."
"Yes, well if you like."
They were shown to a table and provided menus, a hostess took their
drink order.
Alex got wine, Albert settled for a draft.
"I've noticed you never call Hobbes by his first name, may I ask
why?"
"I don't know I just like Hobbes, he's never struck me as a Bobby. I
never understood a grown man's desire to be called the diminutive of
his name. Unless it's by someone very close to them, it seems like
familiarity that isn't deserved. You don't call him Bobby either."
She reminded him.
"You're right." He nodded and returned to reading his menu.
They placed their orders, and then grew quiet. Alex as trying to
relax, but she'd invited him to join her so she should at least make
an attempt at small tall.
"I was thrilled to heard about Claire finding the treatment to
release Darien from the QS madness." She spoke quietly, just in case.
"Yes, we were all happy for him. And it did turn out well in the
end."
"Have you been on any field missions recently?"
"No, after the last one, I've tried to stay away from field work."
"We all have our special talents." She assured him.
"Will you be staying with us for awhile, now that the undercover
mission is done?" Eberts hadn't heard any rumors about her next
assignment.
"I don't know, I usually can pick up something about what's in store
for me on my next assignment, but I don't know anything." Alex toyed
with her wine glass.
They talked during the meal, covering topics as far ranging as
foreign policy and the current state of relations in the mid east, to
favorite books and music.
Over two hours past before, they left the restaurant.
" Thank you Albert, I guess I'll see you tomorrow, I have at least
one day here before I learn my next case assignment." Alex pulled
into the parking area beside the Agency building.
"I was nice discussing things with you. Maybe you'll get to stay with
us for a little while this time." Albert climbed up out of her
Corvette. "Good night."
"Night." Alex smiled at him as he closed the car door. She was
feeling a hundred percent better since her first arrival back from
her undercover assignment. She was looking forward to hopefully being
posted in San Diego.
Albert kept smiling all during his drive home. He'd really enjoyed
talking with Alex. But he'd been right about it being dangerous to
him, now he was even more smitten with the five star rated lady
agent.
end part one