Follow the Breadcrumbs Part 1
By Carol M.
Note: This is the 3rd story in the Devil's Silver Series. It would probably help to read Gilligan and Mrs. Howell, but it's not absolutely necessary.
Rating: This part is PG.
Spoilers: Little stuff from FFH, MFN Part 1 & Part 2, Small World, IOBE
Disclaimer: I don't own them, I just play with them.
3 weeks after Gilligan and Mrs. Howell
"Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me," sang Claire cheerfully as she got dressed to go to work.
She pulled a deep red cashmere sweater over her head and matched it with a medium length black skirt. The outfit, which she had bought yesterday, had cost $200. It was her birthday present to herself.
She ran into her bathroom and put a dab of mascara on the lashes of her blue eyes. Then she reached for her red lipstick and dabbed it delicately across her lips, going for just a hint of color. For the final step, she splashed a dab of Lady in the Lake perfume on her wrist and behind her ears.
"Ready to go," she thought to herself as she grabbed her car keys and started to walk downstairs. That was when she looked down at her feet and noticed she was barefoot. She ran back to her bedroom and looked in the closet. She eyed her black boots. With a sly smile she took them out of the closet and put them on her feet. She remembered hearing Darien say how much he liked these boots. Not that she was dressing for Darien or anything.
She dashed down the stairs of her apartment and headed out to her SUV. She was practically skipping. Claire didn't really know why she was in such a good mood. It's not like anyone at the Agency would even know it was her birthday because she hadn't told any of them. Maybe it was because of her new outfit or maybe it was because she had found out yesterday that she was getting a research grant for better lab equipment. Whatever it was, she just went with it. Claire did not normally classify herself as chipper and she wanted to take advantage of this rare mood.
She drove her SUV through early morning San Diego traffic, humming softly with the radio. She wondered when Darien would be in to get his shot. Knowing Darien it would probably be somewhere around eleven. Unless he had a case, Darien Fawkes did not know the meaning of getting up early.
Claire pulled her SUV into her usual space in front of the Department of Fish and Game, the Department of Indian Affairs or the Department of Health and Human services, whatever the Agency was calling itself these days. As usual, she was the first to arrive. She got out of her SUV and sauntered to the front door of the Agency. She opened the door and started her journey to the Keep.
"Hi guys," she said as she passed by the two guards near the door.
"Good morning Miss Keeply," one of them replied.
Claire stepped onto the elevator and began the descent to the ground floor. She swayed softly to the Muzak playing. The door opened and Claire stepped off the elevator. She walked to the Keep door, pulling out her keycard. She inserted the keycard and the Keep door opened. She was greeted by pitch blackness. That's odd, she thought. She normally kept one of the lights on overnight. She felt for the switch by the door. She flipped it and the lights came on.
"SURPRISE!" yelled Darien, Bobby, Alex, Eberts and the Official.
Claire jumped in surprise. She then took in the sight before her. Darien and Bobby stood by the fish tanks, both wearing birthday hats and blowing on noisemakers. Eberts stood to the right of them, holding a sign that said "Happy Birthday Keep." Alex and the Official stood behind Eberts, a cake on the table next to them.
Claire walked towards them smiling widely. "How did you guys know, I never told any you," she said.
Darien smiled and stepped towards her, patting her on the arm. "Ah, Claire, you forget, I was a thief. I might have swiped your wallet a time or two," Darien said.
Claire laughed. Darien pointed towards the table near the fish tanks. Claire saw several packages wrapped up in birthday paper. Claire gasped. "Ah, you guys didn't have to do this," she said.
"Sure we did," Bobby said. "You're the Keepie."
Alex stepped towards the table with the presents on them. "Come on, Claire, open your presents. I'm dying to see what kind of bad taste these boys have," she said with a sarcastic smile.
Bobby and Darien both rolled their eyes.
Claire started to walk towards the table. She walked past Eberts who was still holding the sign.
"Thank you, Eberts," she said as she softly patted him on the back.
Eberts blushed slightly. "Your welcome," he said shyly.
The Official chimed in. "I will have you know Claire, that I have never seen Bobby nor Darien come into the office this early since the entire time they've been working here."
"Oh the sacrifices we endure, right Bobby," said Darien.
Claire reached the table and picked up a present wrapped in balloon wrapping paper. "That's from me," said Alex quickly.
"Alex, you didn't have too," replied Claire.
"No, no, I insist, open it," she said eagerly.
Claire tore the paper off the box. She opened the box and discovered a very expensive looking silk scarf.
"Oh, Alex, this is so sweet. But I can't accept this, this is too much," Claire said.
Alex stepped forward and shook her head. "Nonsense, you deserve it, being cooped up here all day."
"Well thank you very much," Claire said with a smile. "You're welcome," Alex replied.
Claire picked up a smaller box. She raised it in the air. "Who is this from?" she asked.
Bobby shuffled and coughed nervously. "That would be mine," he said. Darien smiled at Bobby and elbowed him playfully in the ribs.
Claire smiled gently. She opened the box and pulled out a small gold bracelet. "Oh Bobby," she said. "You are too kind sometimes," she said. "Thank you," she said softly.
"No problem, Claire, it's my pleasure," Bobby said.
Claire picked up a small pink envelope from the table. "That's mine," said Eberts earnestly.
Claire opened the envelope and found front row tickets to the symphony. "I figured since you enjoyed it so much the last time, that maybe you would like to go again," Eberts said with a smile.
Claire returned the smile. Bobby mocked Eberts and started to walk towards him, ready to deck the little punk. Darien realized what Bobby wanted to do and he forced Bobby away from Eberts.
"Ah, Claire, my official contribution to this little shindig is the cake. I didn't know what to get you," said the Official from his position behind Eberts.
"Oh sir, that's very sweet of you, I appreciate it," she said.
Claire picked up a birthday bag off the table. She picked it up. "Darien, is this yours?" she asked.
"Yep, it sure is," he replied with a sly smile.
Claire opened the bag. She first pulled out an envelope. Inside the envelope were gift certificates to the Chinese place from which she ordered so often.
Claire laughed. "Perfect Darien," she said. "Keep going, there's more," he said.
She dug deeper into the bag. She pulled out a gold sparkling candle. "That's for the next time we get trapped in the dark," said Darien. Claire nodded in understanding. "One more thing," said Darien hesitantly.
Claire reached to the bottom of the bag and pulled out a CD. The cover said "Happy Birthday to the Dancing Queen, from Bartholomew. Claire giggled. She turned the CD over and looked at the songs. Her heart skipped a beat. Darien had put the songs they had danced to while stuck in the Keep a few weeks back on the CD. First the fast ones and then the fateful slow one. The rest of the CD consisted of some of her favorite symphony pieces. "Oh Darien," Claire said softly as she stepped towards him and hugged him. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Darien stepped back, dazed. "Thank you," she said.
Darien nodded slowly. "You're most welcome."
"Hey Claire," said Bobby as he pointed towards his cheek. Claire laughed. She went over and hugged Bobby and then kissed him on the cheek. She walked past Bobby and gave Eberts a hug and a peck.
Claire then stepped towards Alex and gave her a small hug. Claire walked towards the Official. "Sir?" she asked with a smile.
"Oh, come on," he replied gruffly as he hugged Claire.
Claire smiled widely at all of them. "Thank you so much, you guys. I never expected this," she said with eyes full of tears.
"It was our pleasure Claire," said Bobby. "Let's eat," he said.
The group sat and ate their cake, chatting quietly.
"So how old are you Keepie," asked Darien playfully. Claire gave Darien an evil look.
"Twenty five, right," he said.
"Good answer, Darien," Claire replied with an evil smile.
The Official finished his cake and threw the plate in the trash. "Okay people, it's time to get back to work," he said. "Let's go, Eberts."
Eberts diligently finished his cake and walked to Claire. "Hope you have a great birthday, Claire," Eberts said.
"Thank you Eberts, for everything," Claire said. Claire looked towards the Official. "Thanks Charlie," she said.
The Official nodded and he and Eberts exited the Keep.
"I better get back up to my office, I got a lot of stuff to do," said Alex as she threw away her plate.
"Thanks again, Alex," said Claire.
Alex smiled. "No problem," said Alex as she stepped through the door of the Keep.
Claire, Darien and Bobby finished the rest of their cake. "Come on partner, we got to go see the Official in a few minutes," said Bobby as he headed towards the door.
"Feliz Cumpleanos, Claire," said Bobby.
"Gracias," said Claire.
"Come on Fawkes," said Bobby impatiently.
"Go ahead without me Hobbes, I gotta get a shot," Darien said as he walked to the counteragent chair.
"All right, I'll catch you in a few, my friend," Bobby said as he exited the keep.
Darien looked up at Claire, who was getting his shot ready. She looked really pretty today. He loved those black boots. They made her look so sexy. He thought he even detected a hint of perfume on her. "You look really nice, Claire," Darien said softly.
Claire turned around and blushed. "Oh, thank you. I bought this outfit for myself as a birthday present," she said.
She tied the rubber strap around Darien's arm to find a vein. Darien pulled out his emergency counteragent and handed it to her. "Time for the passing of the baton," said Darien.
Claire shook her head. "Not today Darien. I'm doing a big experiment on counteragent tomorrow and I need all the counteragent that I can spare," she said.
Darien looked at her with concern. "Do you think that's a good idea? I mean what if something happens?" he said.
"Don't worry, Darien. If you need some, you can always come in and get it. Just be careful about using quicksilver for the next day or so and it should be fine," she said with a slight smile.
Darien nodded, starting to relax. She was right, as long as he was careful, he would be in no danger.
"Thanks Keep," he said as Claire gave him his shot. He grimaced slightly at the pain. "You would think I would get used to this," he said.
Claire gave him a sympathetic smile. She touched him slightly on the shoulder. She looked at him intently. "Thank you Darien, for my present. That was really sweet," she said.
It was Darien's turn to blush. "Hey you know I was just trying to suck up so you would give me my shots gentler," he said teasingly.
Claire nodded knowingly and smiled widely. "Of course," she said as she threw away the shots.
"Well Claire, I gotta go see Hobbes and the Fatman. If you ever wanna have another dance party, give me a call," he said as he started walking to the door.
"I sure will," she said.
"Happy Birthday, Claire. I would say it in some sophisticated foreign language, but my limited mind is not as worldly traveled as Hobbesy."
"Thanks Bartholomew," she said jokingly.
Darien shook his head. "Now what did I tell you about that," he said with a laugh.
He waved as he walked out the door.
Claire stood and looked around at all the presents and the cake surrounding her. She really hadn't expected this at all. It was really nice to know they cared.
Claire drove back to her apartment listening to the CD Darien had given her. She recalled how much fun she had had with Darien that day. She had finally been able to show a little bit of her real self and not be the cold scientist all the time.
The slow song came on the CD. Claire thought about dancing in Darien's strong arms. Him dipping her and spinning her and almost, well kissing her. She wondered what it would be like to kiss Darien Fawkes. She jumped out of her thoughts when she realized she was in her parking space at her apartment. She reached into her CD player and ejected the CD, putting it back in its case. She gathered up the rest of her presents and walked to the front door. She pulled her key out and opened the door.
She stepped inside and her heart stopped cold. Arnaud stood to her side. She quickly dropped her presents and opened the front door. Arnaud stepped to her and pushed the front door shut.
"Now, now Claire, no need to run," he said calmly.
"You little bastard," she said as she started to back away from him.
"Now Claire, that's not very nice of you," he said.
Claire turned around and was about to run, when a huge muscular man blocked her path and grabbed her. She struggled hard against him, desperate to get away. Another man came up to her and restrained her legs. She struggled even more. Pavlov ran to the front door and started barking.
"Shut up dog," yelled one of the men. Claire continued to struggle against the two men.
Arnaud gave the men an annoyed look. "Keep her still please," he said.
Arnaud pulled out a hypodermic needle. Claire looked at him in terror. She started to kick out, but the men holding her were too strong. Arnaud stepped towards her and injected her with the needle. Within seconds, Claire went limp in their arms. Pavlov looked up at Arnaud curiously.
"That's a good dog," said Arnaud as he petted Pavlov softly. Pavlov wagged his table and scampered away happily.
"Gentleman, if you would follow me," said Arnaud as he walked out of the back door of Claire's apartment. The two thugs followed with an unconscious Claire tucked in their arms.
TBC
