* * *
December Continued
"Well, well, well. Our good doctor cleans up awfully purty." Alyx's voice wafted out of the equipment perfectly clear and sounding like she was right next to them.
Hobbes rolled his eyes. "Stop checking out the merchandise and get to work." Then he sighed, realizing she hadn't heard a word of it.
Darien sat on the floor of the van, leaning back against the wall and stared into the distance. Above his head hung the "No Fishing" sign, and he tapped out a beat on his thighs in hopes of irritating his partner as he waited for something to do. Unless there was an emergency he was to sit here cooped up with Hobbes while Alyx got to drink and schmooze for the evening. Hobbes had made sure she had her cover down pat and that the equipment was working properly before allowing her to head off.
They'd watched her drive up to the valet parking and hand over her keys in exchange for a stub of paper then head to the guarded doorway of the club. Pretentious and upper crust was the description of this place. Given it went by the name, The Palace, it wasn't surprising. This was no party club, this was where the rich and the powerful of San Diego came to relax and often cut after hours deals that occasionally became formal later. If there was music it was probably classical and played by a live quartet. Brandy and caviar were the refreshments of choice; cigar and pipe smoking were welcome, even while cigarettes were discouraged. Because the club was designated private they skirted the California smoking law, that and some well placed grease.
A bit of research by Eberts got them the intel that the good Doctor Geofferies had been a member for three years and came here every Friday and Saturday night like clockwork. Alyx was to not only somehow gain an introduction to him, but notice who else was here and whom he spoke to.
They listened to Alyx as she made her way through the crowd; she was posing as the adult daughter of rather rich and influential member of Hollywood's elite who had moved to the San Diego area recently. The man in question did indeed exist and was currently being investigated by the FBI, SEC, and the ATF for his less than legal business dealings. That situation made it easy to persuade him to play along on the off chance someone called to check on the legitimacy of Alyx's credentials. Madigan Dorchester, actually.
There was a sudden soft curse and then a round of profuse apologies by a male voice that got both Darien's and Hobbes' attention.
"Damn it, I am such a klutz sometimes. Are you all right?" The voice was cultured, smooth, and quite apologetic.
"Quite all right. You are most certainly not the first one to do that." Alyx responded with a light laugh. "I tend to fall well below line of sight."
"My dear, it is never all right' to pour ones drink on a creature as lovely as you are." the male voice said in what could only be a seductive tone.
"Well that didn't take long." Hobbes commented dryly. Darien just shook his head and continued staring off into the distance.
The two men then glanced at each other as the male they assumed to be Geofferies chuckled. "Yes, I'm talking about you. You're new here aren't you."
"Damn, was hoping he wouldn't notice that, but the kid is memorable." Hobbes muttered. "Let's see if she can handle this."
"Well, that depends. Do you have some awkward and embarrassing initiation for the newest members?" Alyx asked in an astonishingly light tone. Darien knew that playful tone of voice, but doubted Hobbes had ever heard it.
"No, no initiations." Geofferies responded sounding amused.
"Damn," Alyx sounded truly disappointed. "Thought you people would be fun. Guess I should go and find some real excitement."
There was the sound of movement followed by, "Any chance I could persuade you to stay?"
"I don't know..." She drew the words out, making it sound as if she was truly unwilling to stay.
"Come on, least you can do is let me buy you a drink for nearly trampling you." Geofferies voice was breathy, as if whispering almost directly into the microphone. "I'm sure I can find something to keep you amused."
Alyx chuckled warmly. "Make it two drinks and you got a deal. For an hour or so anyway."
"An hour? And what happens when my time is up? The old glass slipper routine?" Geofferies still sounded close by and based on the changing background noise they were making their way through the crowd.
Darien's eyebrows went up on the comment. It sounded like something he or Hobbes might throw out during a conversation and that Alyx would roll her eyes at. This time however, she appeared to fall for it hook, line and sinker. Emphasis on appeared.
"Must get back to my coach before it does the pumpkin bit on me. My mechanic just hates that." she countered with little effort.
"Quick too. I think this evening is beginning to look far, far more interesting." The pleased tone was obvious, like he'd come across a rare treat in what had become a weekly routine.
Darien looked over at Hobbes rather smugly. "Told ya."
"She ain't done yet, Mr. Peabody. She still has to get the info we need." Hobbes reminded Darien, whose smug look faded somewhat.
"Yeah, well, she got in, Sherman. I seem to recall someone doubting she could do that much." Darien sat up a bit straighter, his focus actually a bit more on the conversation coming out of the speaker than Hobbes reaction.
Hobbes just shook his head, not really wanting to argue about it at the moment and turned his attention back to the work at hand.
The night progressed much better than expected, by the time Alyx left over fours hours later, and not the threatened one, she had firmly established her cover identity and secured a "date" with Geofferies for the following evening. The man had spent nearly the entire night at her side, only leaving her for a span of about twenty minutes at one point, during which she was hit on by a least four other men. She'd been polite and chatted with each for a minute or two before shooing them away with unruffled feathers.
While she was essentially alone Hobbes had Darien establish contact with her and make sure things seemed to be going all right from her perspective.
Darien had passed on Hobbes' comments word for word and had gotten an annoyed; *How about he trades places and wears the heels and garters while I eavesdrop from the ugly van?*
The comment caused first the image of her in nothing but those items to flash through Darien's mind, quickly followed by the sudden libido-killing image of Hobbes in the exact same outfit.
He then passed on her real info, which was enough to satisfy Hobbes for the time being. There would be a full and detailed report later anyway, and it wasn't like she was going to forget anything.
When she finally left just before two AM, with Mr. Geofferies walking her to her car, they followed her discretely back to her place.
"Good work, kid." Hobbes told her as he packed up the gear. Shutting the case and locking it, he turned towards the pair. "And a good beginning. I'll expect a full report in the morning and the tapes should be transcribed by tomorrow evening." He hefted the case and moved as if to leave. "Where is he taking you tomorrow?"
"Place called Thornton's. High end money-wise, but casual dress-wise. Rich casual that is." She paused thinking over her wardrobe. "I wonder if I can get away with the suede?"
"Kid..." Hobbes decided to not rise to the bait. "Get some sleep, I expect you to be in my office by nine AM sharp. Got it?" He eyed Darien for a second. "That goes for you too, Rip van Winkle, no sleeping in, weekend or not."
"Yes, sir!" Darien clicked his heels together smartly and snapped a salute, which Alyx spoiled by elbowing him in the gut.
"I'll be there, Bobby. You'll have to deal with him." She hooked a thumb over her shoulder at Darien who was pretending to be in far more pain that he really was from her miniscule blow.
Alyx walked Bobby to the door and he turned back to her once he had stepped into the hallway. "He's going home." It was an order and not a question.
"Yes, Bobby, he's going home in a few minutes. I promise." Alyx told him softly.
Hobbes didn't reply, just looked her in the eye, which he realized looked wrong with that color, shifted the weight of the briefcase and nodded curtly. He then headed straight to the elevator at the end of the hall.
"Good night, Bobby." Alyx called to his retreating back and got a small wave over his shoulder for her reward.
Closing and locking the door she sighed, kind of wishing she'd not felt the need to promise Darien wouldn't stay, but she was betting Hobbes was going to park around the corner and wait there till Darien left. Might even follow him home to make sure she wasn't hiding in the trunk or something.
Darien was in the kitchen drinking from a glass and watching her carefully. Setting it down he shifted to lean on the countertop. "I have the feeling he's gonna sit out there till I leave."
Alyx grinned since she'd been thinking the same thing. She focused on Bobby for a second. "Yep, half a block down. Anyway, I promised you'd go home and get some sleep like a good boy."
"I'd much rather stay here and be late for work." Darien looked down at the counter, the fingers of one hand tracing random shapes on the dark surface.
"Really? And what would you do here? Fall asleep on the couch again?" She was smiling as she spoke; he'd done that on several occasions including last night, which is why she'd been late for work this morning; dropping him off at his place just before dawn and getting caught in traffic as she rushed home to change. Hobbes' comment about sleeping in on a weekend hadn't applied to any of their lives in about a month at this point.
Darien came out of the kitchen and stood before her. "I was thinking more along the lines of this." He wrapped one arm about her and used the other to tip her chin up just prior to finding her lips with his. Within moments both were moaning softly at each other. Darien broke away first, gulping for air and feeling a cold trickle of quicksilver down his spine.
"Damn."
"You okay, about.... About me and Geofferies?" Alyx asked with some hesitation. She didn't want to kill the mood, but she also wanted to make sure the situation wasn't bothering him, too much anyway. If he were to get upset, angry, or jealous it would affect her and this mission was making her uncomfortable enough without the addition of his emotions.
He shrugged knowing neither of them were too sure how to deal with this, yet. "Its work, right?"
She nodded. "I'll be the first to admit that I have no idea what I'm doing. I never really dated." She looked up at him feeling a bit awkward. "This just feels wrong. I know its part of the job, but I'm not very comfortable with it."
Darien leaned against the counter and looked her over. The eyes were still a shock in that vivid green color that was so different from the bright silver he was used to. Like a million times before he suddenly found his mouth dry and his chest tight. Not for the first time he realized he was in deep ... deep something anyway. He wasn't quite sure he wanted to put a name to what he was feeling, wasn't sure he could.
"You did fine, even Hobbes thought so." Darien told her softly. "I've been wondering about a couple things."
Alyx could tell his mood had shifted, no longer wanting to discuss the technical aspects of work. He reached out and was playing with a section of her hair. "And what might they be?"
"Well," He leaned forward so that his cheek was resting alongside hers. "I been wondering exactly how you managed to hide the wire and..." His other hand curved about her waist then slipped lower to her hip. "...if you were really wearing garters."
Alyx sucked in a breath as he gently bit her earlobe; his tongue playing with the silver hoop that hung there. His hand grasped the material of her dress and began to slowly slide it up her leg.
"And if I said yes?" Darien's hand froze. "I mean where else would I attach the transmitter?" Her voice was hushed, distracted by what he was doing.
When he resumed motion he was looking her in the eyes, his hand having found the bare skin of her thigh and the evidence that she was indeed telling the truth about wearing garters. "Crap." he muttered softly as she shifted her leg, wrapping it about his to grant him better access. He glanced down noting the dark violet material and deftly released the hook that held the nylon in place. "You do realize I have a thing for purple, right?"
"Uh huh." Alyx managed, barely. His other hand had gone wandering as well and had somehow figured out how to unhook her bra through the material of her dress. She slid one hand under the untucked shirt he was wearing to run along the muscles of his abdomen. There had only been a couple occasions they'd let things get this far before and tonight she found herself not wanting to stop him, promise or no promise to Bobby.
"Damn, girl, do you have any idea..." He found himself cut off as her lips sought out his and made him completely forget what he was going to say. His lower hand slid about her leg and unhooked the other clip on the garter causing her to moan softly into his mouth. He couldn't help but notice she tasted of the expensive wine she'd been drinking all evening. A red if he wasn't mistaken.
Then his hand slipped higher to encounter the edging of delicate lace panties she wore and groaned as he lost what little control he'd been holding onto as his needs, his wants crumbled the thin ledge he'd been balanced upon.
"Shit." he cursed as he released her and tore himself away. He stepped back completely and closed his eyes while taking slow deep breaths to get back under control. "How bad?" he asked after a moment, when he felt he was reasonably stable again, but quite sure he was still missing various portions of his anatomy, even as others were making their presence quite obviously known. He was still horny as hell and just about dying to touch her, but better, no longer flying without a pilot.
When she hadn't answered after a second or two he figured it must be bad and that she was probably trying not to laugh and embarrass him further. He opened his eyes to see her reaction only to find her gone. "Alyx?" He looked about in confusion. "Baby, where are you?"
Alyx wasn't entirely sure herself. Somewhere in there something had suddenly felt so wrong, so terrifying that'd she'd instinctively quicksilvered to hide. Her heart was pounding a mile a minute from combined terror and desire, but that wasn't what kept the quicksilver flowing and she was having a hard time convincing it to stop. "I'm here. Just gimme a sec, okay?"
Darien found this an interesting role reversal for all of a second, until the shaky, frightened sound of her voice sank in. He quicksilvered his eyes and found her standing a few steps away, the pale blue glow surrounding her proving it was her quicksilver and not his that was keeping her from sight. "Alyx, you okay?" He went to her side, but was reluctant to touch her because of the quicksilver.
She tried to shake her head no, but was assaulted with what she could only describe as vertigo, causing her to stagger back a step and the quicksilver to fall away. "I'm okay, I think." Her hand came up to rub the side of her head as the room did another dipsy-do and something flashed through her mind leaving her heart pounding and the urge to disappear back with a vengeance.
"No, you're not." Darien said in obvious concern and set a hand on her shoulder to steady her. He was surprised to find her still cold to the touch. "You don't quicksilver for no reason." Supporting her, he got her over to one of the nearby dining room chairs and seated. He noticed her dress was still rucked up revealing the deep purple of the garter straps and making him swallow hard. His worry was competing with other urges at the moment and he wasn't yet sure which would win out.
When she shuddered at his touch, concern won and any other thoughts faded to the background.
"Sorry," Alyx convinced herself to meet his eyes and saw the true concern in them. "It wasn't you, I swear it." She blushed and bit her lip. She reached out to take one of his hands into her own and he crouched down in front of her. "I was most definitely enjoying myself." His eyes darkened noticeably at her comment.
"Oh, really?"
She leaned forward. "Really." Then she sighed knowing that they shouldn't start up again no matter how much they both wanted to. Focusing she found Bobby was still waiting for Darien to make his exit and was working up a full head of steam over it. "However, Bobby is still being a butt-head."
Darien rolled his eyes knowing he was going to get another lecture tomorrow for this. It was worth it though, she was worth it. He might not like this sneaking about and barely having time to do more than get hot and heavy before the need for sleep attacked. Even she'd been complaining about being exhausted half the time and she only slept four or five hours a night normally. Getting in some real quality time had been impossible so far.
"I don't want to leave." He squeezed her hand, which she returned with a small smile. "Not until you're okay." he added hastily.
"I'll be fine. Some sleep." She brushed her lips across his. "Some dreams about you." He groaned, making her laugh softly.
"I'm never gonna get to sleep." He complained, even as he slid a hand up her thigh to play with the still hooked garter strap, snapping it against her skin.
She retaliated by slipping off one shoe and running her toes along his inner thigh. Just as she was about to reach her goal he grabbed the wayward metatarsals and carefully moved them away. "You're just trying to make me go see-thru again, aren't you."
Alyx shrugged. "Its oddly nice to know I can have that affect on someone." she explained in all honesty. "Been a long time for me, Dare."
He found that a bit strange, considering he knew she'd been married at the time she'd been ... recruited into the Agency. "Well get used to it. How many guys hit on you tonight?" When she blushed again he realized it had indeed been a long time for her and he couldn't for his life fathom why. "Been a long time for me too, sweets. We've no reason to hurry. And a very Hobbesian reason to take it slow. At least for tonight."
He gave her a wolfish grin that she found herself responding to. Wanting to lay herself down, bare her throat to him and just give in to his insatiable appetite. "I ... I need to take it slow, Darien. We need to. This whole mess is so complicated and I don't want to risk ruining what we do have by jumping in too fast."
Darien found himself nodding in agreement. "Friends first?" he suggested.
"Always." Whatever had sent her head spinning had retreated and that deep sense of peace that tended to settle within her when he was near was back. He was no less confusing nor had her emotional uncertainty eased in the least, but under it all, beneath the fears and needs and wants, was this island of calm that just simply was. "For as long as you want me in your life."
For as long as he wanted her? He kept his comments to himself, as they had no part of that going slow he's just agreed to. He gave her a quick kiss, not allowing it to go any further and then got to his feet. "Time to go lead Hobbes away from here and leave you in peace. You sure you'll be okay?"
Standing, she straightened her dress and nodded. "I'm fine. Now scoot, you need the sleep, I can feel it."
Darien ducked his head. Much as he'd rather stay and play bed games with her he knew she was right. He was tired and probably would be until he got a couple days off to recuperate. Until then he'd just keep going, like they all were doing.