Seasons
Fanfic by: NekoSama (aka Chris) and Doretta (aka Desiree)
Email: nekosama@ix.netcom.com and dstreeter78@yahoo.com
Status:Part 4
Catagory:Angst
Spoilers: none
Season: after Beholder
Rating: PG for violence.
Summary:A time for reunions
Standard disclaimer: The Invisible Man and all the characters are not ours and are used without permission. We are not getting paid for this.


Arnaud shook his head as he woke up. 'That was a bad idea,' he groaned to himself as he reeled from the headache. He touched his forehead gingerly and felt the lump that was there, along with a small cut.
He got up off the floor slowly and went into his room. He took the cell phone out of his jacket pocket and dialed a number.
"Yes," he said into the phone. "I want to report a kidnaping..."

****

Catherine had fallen asleep in the chair in Quinn's room. She was annoyed that Renata didn't want her to call anyone yet. She'd told Catherine that if they alerted people before Quinn was able to leave the hospital, then Arnaud would be able to track them easier.
She moaned in her sleep. She was dreaming about Arnaud again, but this time the dream was very unpleasant.
He had tackled her before she'd hit him over the head. He pinned her to the floor and started undressing her.
She woke as Quinn shook her shoulder.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Fine," she answered finally blinking back to reality. She had only barely been able to keep from screaming. But her mind had registered the it was Quinn who had woken her and NOT Arnaud.
Quinn sat back down on the bed wincing slightly.
"Are YOU alright?" she asked him.
"Yeah... just a little sore.." he let out a strained breath.
"Do you want me to get a nurse?"
Quinn was about to protest when he felt the pain worsen. He nodded and sat back against the pillows.

****

Hobbes had fallen asleep in the seat next to Lori. She had insisted on going with them. Especially if Darien might need a shot.
Huiclos had also come along. Quinn was his only family now and he wanted to take him home.
Hobbes had silently hoped that this meant that Catherine and the children were still alive. Of course, that would also mean that Arnaud was still alive. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to keep Darien from killing him, or if he'd even want to stop him.

****
The police instantly found Quinn's name in hospital records and alerted Arnaud immediately.
He was in his car, icepack held securely to his head, driving to the hospital in less than two minutes.
Arnaud was beside himself with rage. He would not allow his plans to come to a halt this quickly...and certainly not this easily.
He tore into the ambulance bay and threw his car into park. Attendants rushed him with a wheelchair when they saw the small amount of blood that clung to his forehead and the icepack he held.
"Sir, let us help you," one man said as he tried to grab Arnaud's arm.
"Get off of me you imbecile!" Arnaud snapped, jumping away from the men.
"Sir, your head..."
"Is fine! I'm here for my son!"
"Please sir, just have a seat." A large man from inside walked slowly out the door and toward Arnaud.
He smiled as Arnaud took a step away.
"You may want to do what the gentleman asks," he told Arnaud, closing in on him. "Looks like a pretty bad head wound."
"Looks like he's unstable, Gary," one of the attendants whispered to the larger man.
He nodded and moved toward Arnaud, grabbing his arm.
"No, no..." Arnaud stuttered. "That won't be necessary."
With a roll of his eyes, Arnaud planted himself in the wheelchair and snickered.
"This will do just fine," he told the men as he was wheeled into the hospital and admitted.

****

Hobbes, Darien, Lori and Huiclos got off the plane. Hobbes had woken up about an hour before they landed.
Eberts had written a program for Hobbes to tap into the hospital and police databases to see if Quinn was at either. Quinn's name had come up at the hospital that was closest to the airport.
"I've found him," Hobbes said triumphantly.
"Thank God," Huiclos sighed. "Where is he?"
"Hospital... but I couldn't get any information on his condition," Hobbes answered.
Huiclos paled slightly.
"Come on," Darien broke the silence. "Let's get a cab and get there already."
Huiclos nodded and they retrieved their bags and hailed a cab.

****

Catherine paced back and forth in Quinn's room. He'd fallen asleep after the nurse had given him pain medication.
Kiersten woke up and demanded attention.
Catherine picked her up and cradled her. Alexander woke as well. Catherine just sighed and picked him up after she changed Kiersten's diaper.
She sat down and fed both of the babies. 'I won't be feeding him for much longer,' Catherine thought. She'd gotten used to feeding two babies, but she knew that Claire would probably want to feed him herself.

****

"Where is Quinn DeTheil?" Huiclos demanded.
"Sir, who are you?" the nurse asked immediately.
"His uncle."
"Right this way." The nurse grabbed a clipboard from behind the desk and ushered Huiclos down the hall. Hobbes and Darien tried to follow.
"No, Bobby," Lori said, grabbing his arm. "Family only. You should know that by now."
"But..."
"No buts...you too Darien." She waved them over to the waiting chairs and had them sit down. "I'm gonna go see what information I can find out from the other nurses. We tend to like to talk." She smiled and turned towards the hallway.
Making her way past curtain after curtain, Lori listened in on as many conversations as she could. But none of them concerned Quinn.
"Excuse me," she said, grabbing the arm of a passing nurse. "Hi. My name is Lori DeTheil. I'm Quinn DeTheil's sister in law..." She fumbled, trying to make sure her story wouldn't need to be checked. "My husband just went to check on him over in the next wing. Can you tell me anything? We're all so worried."
"He's really alright," the nurse answered. "He lost a few stitches and suffered from a fever..."
"I'm a nurse," Lori interrupted. "You can give me the details."
The other lady smiled and began rambling off a list of medications they were giving him, his periodic temperature readings, and so forth. Lori smiled and nodded.
"Sara...we need you in curtain 3 and 4," a passing doctor ordered. "Now."
"But.." she stuttered.
"I said, now," he yelled again as he kept moving.
Sara rolled her eyes.
"Short staffed?" Lori asked.
"Horribly," the nurse answered. "I have to stitch this man up but everyone else is so much more urgent."
"Can I help?" Lori held out her hand for the clipboard and nodded. "Really. It would be good for me to keep busy right now."
"Of course," Sara answered as Lori produced some ID. She showed her credentials and Sara motioned Lori to follow her down the hall.
"He's in there." Sarah pointed to a curtain. "All the supplies.."
"I'll find them," Lori smiled, giving Sara a small push. "Go. They need you down there." There was a huge ruckus going on at the end of the E.R.
"Thank you," Sara said as she headed out the door.
"Alright..." Lori said as she drew back the curtain.
She buried her nose in the chart. "Let's see here..." Lori flipped the papers, half reading the contents. "You need some stitches Mr...."
Her voice trailed off as her eyes moved upward. They locked on Arnaud's smirking face as the clipboard clattered to the floor.
"You." It was all she could muster.
Arnaud was too fast. He jumped from his seat and lunged at the supply drawer next to him. Throwing open a drawer, he produced a scalpel and turned back towards Lori.
"Hello," he said smiling. "We'll be walking out that door now."
He moved toward her, scalpel pointed at her. Arnaud slid the weapon under his sleeve, holding the tip against his palm.
"Do not think for a moment that I will not use this," he told her as he turned her around and pressed his chest into her back. "Start walking."
He gave her a small nudge and they began moving down the hall.

****

Huiclos wished the nurse with him would move faster. He wanted to take Quinn home as soon as possible.
They got off the elevator and went down another hall. "Here it is, sir," she motioned to the last room on the left.
"Thank you," he smiled and went inside.
The curtain was pulled so he couldn't see Quinn right away.
"Quinn?" he asked as he pulled the curtain back. Quinn was sleeping but he turned his head as he realized someone else was in the room.
His face just stopped as he saw Catherine sitting in a chair holding a baby. His legs gave way and he fell to the floor with a thump.
"Huiclos!" Catherine shouted waking up Quinn.
"Cath...Cath..." was all he could get out before she came over to him. The tears had already started pouring down his face.
Catherine also had tears in her eyes as she went to embrace him.
"You're alive..." he whispered and hugged her tightly.
Kiersten squalled in protest as they hugged. Catherine smiled and backed away slightly.
Huiclos was still reeling with emotions. He touched her arm again to confirm that she was real. His face lit up as he saw his daughter for the first time.
Catherine handed her to him. "Her name is Kiersten Yvette," she said as she saw him hug the baby and kiss her forehead.
Quinn propped himself up in the bed. His eyes teared up seeing them reunited.
Huiclos looked at Quinn. "Thank you..."
Quinn nodded and smiled.

****

"Just keep walking." Arnaud jammed his fist into the small of Lori's back as he lead her down the hallway.
Her head turned to the waiting chairs as they rounded the corner of the hall. She could see both Bobby and Darien speaking to one another as they drank from their coffee cups. But they wouldn't look her way.
"Damnit," she swore under her breath.
"Say a word, and you'll regret it." He hissed at her through his teeth and sped her up. They passed the waiting area unseen and continued down the hall and out the double doors to a long corridor.
"He's in his own room," Arnaud told her as they walked the length of the corridor.
She only nodded.
They walked into the patient ward and turned a corner towards Quinn's room. Arnaud had already prodded the nurses about what room the boy was in. To his surprise, they gave him this much information.
"We'll get in and get out, you hear me? No funny business. I will kill you if I need to. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Lori was shaking slightly and he felt it. There was a slight hint of panic in his voice that she heard.
His plans were falling apart horribly.
They rounded the corner to Quinn's room, expecting the curtains to be shut. But they weren't.
Huiclos was the first to see him. He stood holding Kiersten in his arms as Arnaud rounded the corner, Lori held closely to him.
Arnaud's eyes shot open. Quinn saw him next. Instinctively he shot up in bed, grabbing and pulling at the wires that were taped to him.
Catherine turned quickly and almost got sick. He stood not five feet from her.
The scalpel flew from Arnaud's sleeve as he grasped it firmly in his palm. He moved his arm in front of Lori's neck.
"Nobody move or..." he started.
*CLICK* "Or what?" Hobbes had the barrel of his gun on the back of Arnaud's head in an instant. "Drop it Arnaud."
"Hell with that Hobbes." Darien's fist landed square on the back of Arnaud's head.
He dropped to the floor with a thud.
It took a moment for Darien and Hobbes to realize who was in the room.
Alexander started crying from being woken up by the noise.
Darien rushed over to the bassinet and picked him up having forgot about Arnaud.
Hobbes cuffed Arnaud and hoisted him up off the floor. "Get up, you," and he threw him up against the wall checking him for weapons.
"Enjoying yourself, Agent Hobbes," Arnaud laughed coughing slightly.
"You have the right to remain silent..." Hobbes started reading him the Miranda once he was sure Arnaud was clean.
Darien glared daggers at Arnaud. He set Alexander down in the bassinet.
Arnaud turned and looked into Catherine's eyes. "We will finish our game later, ma petit chere," he smiled.
Catherine turned away from him as all of the color left her face. She sat down in the chair and trembled.
Darien was on Arnaud in a second. "You son of a bitch!" and he hit Arnaud square in the gut.
Arnaud crumpled to the floor.
Hobbes held Darien back from hitting Arnaud again. "No, he goes to prison and this time we'll make damn sure he stays there."
Lori had been overwhelmed by everything that had just happened. She smiled softly as she saw the child Huiclos was holding. "May I hold her?"
Huiclos nodded and set her in Lori's arms. He went over to Catherine, pulled her up and hugged her. "It's alright now," he told her and then kissed her gently.

****

"Come on, Claire, you have to calm down."
Daniel took her arm and tried leading her back to the couch but she wouldn't budge. She stood staring out the front window, curtains parted.
"Claire..."
"I'm not moving.." she told him hotly.
Daniel gave up and sat back down.
They had spent the whole morning getting ready for the homecoming. There were bottles everywhere, blankets strewn on everything, it was all ready.
Now they just needed the guests of honor.
Claire jumped and ran to the door as the car pulled into the driveway. She threw it open and ran down the sidewalk.
"Darien!" she yelled as he got out of the passenger seat. Claire threw her arms around him, tears streaming down her face as she almost knocked him over. He held onto her tightly.
"Claire...it's o.k..." he whispered into her ear as he hugged her. "I have him right here..." Letting go of her with one hand, Darien opened the back door and moved Claire around to see in.
Alexander cooed as his mother looked down on him in his carseat.
It was all she could do not to break down. She nearly ripped the whole seat out trying to undo the straps.
"Here, Claire...let me.." Darien pulled her back gently and began unbuckling the baby. She held onto his arm the whole time, wanting desperately to be close to her son.
Darien pulled Alexander out of the car and handed him over to Claire. She buried the little boy's head in her neck and hugged him tightly.
Darien took them both in an embrace as Hobbes pulled into the driveway
behind them.
Daniel met Hobbes car and opened the door for Lori. She smiled up at the boy as she grabbed her bag and got out. Moving to the back door, Daniel helped Quinn out of the car.
With a wince, Quinn pulled himself out and took in the fresh air. He was beyond tired, not even really able to speak. He was on so many pain medications.
Huiclos, Catherine, and Kiersten got out of the car they shared with Darien and walked back to Hobbes.
Everyone stood around looking at each other. No one quite sure of what to say next.

****

Catherine paced in the hallway that night. Her mind playing over the scene in her head. If Quinn hadn't come in and interrupted...She had to fix this. Make sure that there was NO attraction to Arnaud. Tomorrow would be perfect.


***

Hobbes was quiet as he moved around the kitchen looking for a pan. Lori was sound asleep and he didn't want to wake her.
Daniel was out on the couch again. He had fallen asleep in front of the television. So he knew noise wasn't an issue there.
"Eggs, eggs, eggs," he muttered to himself as he rummaged through the refrigerator. "Ahh, there we go."
He produced the carton and turned back to the counter.
"Morning." Daniel's voice broke the silence.
"Damn!" Hobbes yelled, jumping back, slamming his elbow into the refrigerator door. He watched helplessly as the carton of eggs hit the floor and splattered.
Daniel stood in the doorway, rubbing his face. He raked his hands through his hair as he moved to the counter and grabbed the roll of paper towels.
Stooping down to help his uncle pick up the shells, Daniel tried to catch his eye. But he wouldn't look up at him.
The tension had been there ever since they had all come back from Europe. Daniel knew his uncle had every right to be angry with him, but it was killing him. He didn't have anywhere to go. He didn't want to screw this up.
"You hungry?" Hobbes finally asked, the words barely audible as he stood to walk the remains to the garbage.
"Kind of," Daniel answered.
"Well we're gonna have to get creative." Hobbes turned on the faucet to wash the yolk off his hands.
"Nah, Uncle Bob. I'll go to the store." Daniel had the sudden urge to get out of the house. He could sense Hobbes's anger and wanted to be far away from it.
"You don't have to..." Hobbes started. But Daniel was gone already. He shook his head and moved back to the kitchen floor.

****

Daniel padded into the grocery store, still trying to flatten his hair. His shoes were still untied but he was still dressed from the night before so that took no time.
He stood blinking against the flourecent lights, trying to figure out where the bakery was. When he spotted the doughnuts, he aimed directly at them.
"Can I get a dozen?" he asked politely.
The girl behind the counter nodded as she smiled and moved to the back room.
"Aren't they up here?" he asked, his eyes following her.
"Not the good ones," she said as she poked her head back around the corner.
He giggled as she moved back out of sight.
Daniel's eyes scanned the grocery store. There was nobody out just yet. He glanced at his watch. "God...5 o'clock," he mumbled. He couldn't remember the last time he was up this early.
"Tell me about it." The girl came back to the counter with a warm box of doughnuts. "I've been here since 3."
"Three?!" he asked astonished. "That's a crime!"
"Yeah, I know."
"So, what time do you get off?" he asked. He shut his eyes and winced. What had he just said?
She giggled. "Noon."
"Noon, huh?"
"Yup." Her smile widened as Daniel shoved his hands in his pockets and looked at the floor.
"You wanna maybe..." he started. "I don't know...go catch a movie or something?"
"I'd love to," she told him, eyes gleaming. "Great. I can pick you up here. Or meet you
anyway." He suddenly realized he didn't have a car.
"Sure."
"Cool." There was a long pause as they just looked at each other, each one trying not to laugh.
"Your doughnuts," she finally said, breaking the silence.
"Oh, right!" Daniel grabbed the box and produced his wallet.
"Nuh uh," she said shaking her head, looking around. "Get." She shooed him with her hand.
"You sure?" he mouthed as he took a step back.
"Go!" she yelled as she laughed.
His smile was huge as he turned to leave the store.
Suddenly he couldn't wait for this afternoon.

****

"In here, you," the guard grumbled as he shoved Arnaud into the room. He wasn't exactly sure who he WAS expecting, but he was very surprised at who he saw.
"Good morning, chere," he smiled at her.
"I just want to tell you that there is nothing between the two of us," she started twisting a Kleenex into shreds.
"Really? Then why are you here?" he asked as he sat down across from her.
"Just to make sure you realize there is nothing between us, there never was, there isn't now and there won't be."
"You either fake very well or are a very good liar, and I don't believe either of those," he took her hands in his own.
She tried to pull away but he held her tightly. Arnaud pulled her forward and into a kiss. Before she realized it she was kissing him back with passion.
"As much as I'd like to continue this, my dear, I've never been fond of having an audience," and he moved away and to the door. "Another time perhaps."


Catherine shuddered as she got into her car. That had not gone well at all. 'What is wrong with me? There is NO reason I should have feelings for him.'
She drove away staring back at the prison. 'Well, at least he's stuck in there, and hopefully THIS time he'll stay put," she sighed.
Arnaud looked out the window of his cell and watched Catherine drive away. 'That was very interesting. I wonder how brother dearest feels about her coming to visit...' he smiled and sat back down.

****

Catherine pulled into the driveway and got out of the car. She sighed as she went inside. She felt awful about going to see Arnaud, but she resigned herself to putting it out of her mind for now.
Quinn was sitting on the couch when she came in. He was watching a movie on cable.
"Hi, Quinn," she greeted him warmly.
"Hi. How are you feeling today?"
"A little better. Still really sore, but that's to be expected."
Catherine nodded. "Well, you just rest, then."
Quinn smiled and went back to the movie.
Catherine went down the hallway. Huiclos was in the nursery with Kiersten. He'd just laid her down for a nap.
Catherine was so happy to see him with their daughter. She went into their bedroom and sat on the bed.
Huiclos followed her in after a moment. He pulled her into a strong embrace.
"I love you, Huiclos," she purred pulling him into a deep kiss.
He kissed her back passionately and they both sank back down onto the bed. Catherine was glad that Huiclos had shut the door behind him.

****

Daniel ran down the few blocks to the grocery store at 11:45. It was a great day out and as he didn't have a car, he figured a walk would suffice.
He ran into the store and took a deep breath. "Calm down, Daniel," he muttered as he strolled over to the bakery section.
She came out of the back room carrying her purse and a light coat. Smiling, she shoved her blonde hair over her shoulder and moved onto the main floor.
"Hi," she said as she approached him.
"Hey," he answered casually.
"So what are we going to do?" The girl brushed her hand over his arm in a playful gesture.
Goose bumps flew up his arm. "Well how bout we go for a walk?"
"Yes!" she said with enthusiasm. "Let's do that." She began walking out the door.
"My name is Daniel, what's yours?" he asked smiling at her brightly.
"Veronica," she smiled back at him.
They walked a few blocks and ended up at the beach. Daniel led her over to a table. "Are you thirsty?"
"A little," she replied.
"What kind of soda would you like?"
"Coke, please," she replied.
Daniel nodded and went over to the refreshment stand. He came back with two sodas and sat down.
"How long have you live here?" she took a sip of her soda.
"About 9 months." he replied.
"With your parents?"
"With my uncle." He looked down at the table trying to avoid her eyes. The loss of his mother still bothered him but he didn't want to show it.
"Oh," she replied a bit sadly. "Well," she continued, "I'm on my own."
Daniel looked up from the table and stared at her. There was no joy in her eyes when she spoke next.
"Both of my parents are gone. I live here alone."
He could tell by her tone that she wasn't going to go any further.
"I'm sorry," he said. Daniel was suddenly aware that their fingers were dangerously close on the table top. He watched as Veronica moved her hand closer and began moving his fingers around, letting her hand come to a rest on top of his.
Casually, Daniel flipped his hand over and took hers. They sat facing the ocean not speaking for well over an hour.

***

Daniel stood first and walked to the water's edge. Veronica got up from the table and immediately joined him.
"I didn't mean to depress you," she told him softly as they both watched the horizon.
"No. You didn't. It's just so quiet here." For the first time in a long time, Daniel was at peace with everything.
"I have an idea." She turned to face him, taking his hand in hers. Her smile was wide when he looked down at her.
"What's that?"
"Let's go to my place. Watch a bunch of movies and eat ourselves silly on popcorn." She couldn't suppress the giggle.
"Really?" He was thrilled with the idea.
"Yeah really. Come on. I live a couple blocks down that way." Veronica pointed down the beach and started to pull Daniel along.
"Ok." He knew his face showed a silly grin but he didn't care.

***

They sat together on the couch in Veronica's one bedroom studio apartment, sharing a bowl of heavily salted popcorn. Veronica put her favorite movie in and sat back to watch Daniel's expression.
"The Invisible Man?" he asked astonished.
"You got a problem with that?" she asked mockingly.
"No..no..." he laughed as she threatened a tickle.
"It's fine."
She smiled and scooted an inch closer to him as she got comfortable. They sat in silence while the movie flicked lights across the room.

***

She reached over and carefully took the bowl of popcorn from Daniels lap, watching his hands slip off the bowl and onto his lap. Veronica placed it on the side table as she stood and walked to the kitchen.
Her eyes were hazy from sleep. Falling asleep wasn't part of her plan, but Daniel had made her feel so comfortable. She was already way behind schedule.
Veronica produced a bag from under the kitchen counter and walked back to the couch. She placed her hand on Daniel's shoulder and moved him slightly, slipping his wallet out of his back pocket.
With a sigh, she removed all of his information and put it in the bag she held. "I'm sorry, Daniel," she said softly as she stood. "But you'll understand soon."
Turning for the door, Veronica left his wallet on the table in the hall and locked the door behind her as she left.

TBC...

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