Rescue
R
part four
Darien was lying in bed when there was a knock on his door.
"Crap" he remembered to late that Claire was still sleeping on his couch.
He knew it was Hobbes, coming to pick him up for work.
Darien climbed out of bed, and was trying to think when Claire came
into his bedroom.
"What do we do?' she whispered urgently.
"I don't' know."
"Oh, great we are about to get caught and you're not even wearing
clothes."
"I sleep better like this." Darien was holding the end of the sheet over his
lower half, but he was naked.
"Put some clothes or, no wait go get in the shower. I'm going to hide,
there's no evidence I was ever here, unless Bobby saw my car."
"I'll play it how ever you want to Claire."
"Go!"
"Hey, Partner are you up yet?" Hobbes opened the door with the key he'd
mad made so he could get to Fawkes in a hurry if he had to.
Claire was hiding in the bedroom closet with her purse and her eyes
closed tight, saying a prayer she wouldn't be found.
"Hurry up Fawkes, or we are going to be late." Bobby called out to him in
the bathroom.
Darien was taking the fastest shower of his life. He only washed his hair
once and brushed his teeth with his finger. He was climbing out
of the shower and toweling off only five minutes after the knock at his
door.
"Hobbes, is that you?'
"Who else would it be? Unless you've got a lady friend I don't know
about?" Bobby paced across the living room, a hand on his hip, adjusting
the weight of his gun; it tended to ride in the wrong place,
he had to keep adjusting it, just like he had to keep adjusting the family
jewels from time to time.
Claire had a view of him from the closet in the bedroom. Through the
slats of the closet door she could watch Bobby. She blushed alone in
the darkness of the closet as she watched and admired the man she'd
been lusting after for weeks.
Bobby was pacing and preening in front of the mirror in Darien's living
room. When his hand went south, adjusting his package she
almost gasped out loud and gave herself away.
Darien was dressing in the bathroom, he'd grabbed a pair of pants and
underwear off
his dresser where he'd left them after washing stuff over the weekend.
"Hobbes can we stop for coffee."
"Already taken care of my friend, hurry up."
"I just have to grab a shirt, and I'm good to go." Darien exited the
steamy bathroom,
his hair still damp, but looking as wild as always.
Darien reached into his closet and took the shirt behind Claire. Her eyes
were wide
with fright, he kept his expression neutral so he wouldn't give her away.
He pulled
the shirt over his head and tugged the tail down.
"Let's go."
Claire breathed a sigh of relief once the door closed behind them. She
stayed in the
bedroom a minute, then checked at the window to make sure they were
gone.
:::::::::::::::::::::
Claire made it home and changed clothes in record time. She called
Eberts to cover
for her, she was only fifteen minutes late.
Hobbes and Fawkes were in a briefing with the Official, so they didn't see
her
arrive late.
"Is there anything wrong, Claire?'
"No, Eberts. Thank you for you help, I over slept, now I feel all rushed
and
out of sync, I hate that feeling, don't you?" she tried to change the
subject.
"Yes as a matter of fact I do hate being rushed. I prefer to work at my
own
pace." Eberts nodded and went back to the office.
Claire was calm and working on her lab reports when the guys stopped
in.
"Good morning Claire, you said you wanted to check my arm."
"Good morning Darien, Bobby." she looked up, and flushed at the sudden
memory
of what Bobby had been doing the last time she'd seen him.
"Beautiful morning today Keepy, you should take a break outside today.
Get some sun." Bobby smiled at her.
She knew then that he'd know she was at Darien's or at least had been at
Darien's. She was crushed that he'd not confronted them, he must not
mean all the flirting.
"Darien let me see your arm," she reached to unwrap the gauze, the spot
was
fine only a slight pinkness there now. "Let the air get to this now, it looks
fine."
Darien could see she was upset, her hands shook as she turned away and
went
back to her stool.
"Thanks, we have to go." he tried to get her to look at him, he wanted to
signal
to her that everything was OK.
"Come on Partner, we have work to do." Hobbes urged Darien.
"See you later Claire."
"Be careful you two."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Once they were in the van and driving to the location for the nest black
bag job
Darien was to perform on behalf of the Agency. Bobby questioned his
partner.
"So you didn't take my advice, you and Claire were together last night?"
Darien was on his second cup of coffee, he almost spilled it on himself
when
Hobbes spoke.
"She was in my place last night, but it's not like that."
"I warned you buddy, don't play games with her." Bobby was angry.
"She needed advice, she's all torn up about a guy she has it bad for.
She needed to talk to someone about him, I offered." Darien tried to
make it
sound innocent.
"Who is he? That Doctor guy that worked the case last month with her
and Eberts.
Yeah has to be him, he was all tall and smooth, acting like he was to good
to
talk with the field agents." Bobby sneered.
"No, it's not him. Claire has more sense that that."
"Who then, do I know him?'
"Yeah, but I can't tell you, she confided in me Hobbes."
"If I know him he has to be from the Agency. That new guy that just
transferred
in from Washington last month?'
Hobbes stop guessing, I can't tell you. Look you're on the wrong track
anyway.
Why do you think Claire would pick someone like Dr. Grayson, he was a
jerk."
"She must like that intelligent, scientist/professor type. She had a thing
for
Kevin didn't she?'
"Yeah, but I think that was different. I mean that doesn't mean she only
likes
scientist types. She knew Kevin for a long time, before she was in love
with him."
"You're sure you're telling me the truth here? She wasn't over at your
place to
see you?'
"No, not like that. I'm not the guy she'd losing sleep over."
"That bad? She isn't sleeping? You know she has looked a little tired the
past few days." Bobby nodded.
Darien wanted to tell his partner he was the man. He knew how much
Bobby
cared for Claire. But she seemed to think she wasn't right for him. Darien
was
going to have to work on her a little longer, convince her that Hobbes and
she
were a perfect for each other.
They reached the building Darien was supposed to sneak into. Bobby
checked the
surrounding area, it was clear.
"OK Partner, you have about fifteen minutes until the roving patrol comes
back."
"See ya later." Darien quick silvered himself and went inside.
Bobby kept watch, checking the area for any signs of trouble. He checked
his
watch every few minutes, he would go in and rescue his partner if he had
to.
"Got it. Let's get out of here." Darien touched Bobby's shoulder.
Hobbes whirled around in time to see the quicksilver dropping off his
partner.
"Don't do that!" Bobby had his gun drawn and ready, he had to refrain
from
shooting when Fawkes touched him.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"This is good work men. I'm very pleased with your swift completion of
this mission." The Official told them.
"Thanks chief." Hobbes was sitting back in the chair in the Official's office,
smiling it wasn't often they were praised by him.
"Thanks, but it wasn't a difficult security system, it was out dated."
Darien added.
"Just the same it was good work. Eberts, is the file ready for the next
case?'
"Yes, sir but the contact hasn't checked in yet." Eberts whispered.
"Hobbes, Fawkes take the rest of the day off, we'll brief you in the
morning
on the next case."
Bobby and Darien low fived each other. It was only a half day off, but it
was
still a treat neither of them was used to.
:::::::::::::::::
Darien had an idea, the last time they had gotten time off Hobbes had
wanted to spend
it at the beach. But Darien had other plans.
"Hobbes, I own you a day at the beach, what do you say to hanging out,
catching
some rays, watch the hotties in swimsuits strolling past?'
"Sounds good Partner, I've still go my stuff in the van."
"I'll meet you outside in a few minutes." Darien wanted to invite Claire
along too.
::::
"Claire grab your swimsuit, Hobbes and I have the rest of the day off."
Darien danced over to her at her work table.
"That doesn't mean I can leave with you, Darien." she looked up
surprised at his
sudden entrance.
"Sure it does, you deserve a few hours off, come on go with us to the
beach.
Work on your tan," He was bending to look into her eyes, he'd taken her
hand
as if to dance with her, but he only turned her to face him. "Come on you
know
you want to."
She hesitated, then took off her lab coat. "Which beach will you be at?"
"Alright! Down by the place we had the last steak out."
:::::::::::::::::
"Fawkes, will you relax. What are you looking for? All the hotties are
down this
way."
"Oh, yeah right." Darien turned back towards the surf, there were pretty
young
women walking around in all typed os swim wear. But Darien was worried
Claire
had chickened out on joining them. It had been over an hour since they
had
arrived.
Claire had almost turned around and gone home twice. Then it took her
forever
to find a parking space. She'd gone home to change into her tank-ini.
She'd
slathered on the sunscreen and dug out her hat. She didn't tan quickly
and
needed the protection. She was walking towards the beach, nervous
butterflies
in her stomach. She wasn't sure she could pull this off, acting casual with
Bobby in this setting. He was bound to be wearing less than she was used
to
seeing him in. She was also a little self conscious about her own
appearance.
She couldn't compete with all the young beautiful woman parading up
and
down the beach.
Claire approached the area Darien had said they would be near. She was
looking
over the crowd. Searching for the familiar tall frame and spiky hair. The
person
she spotted first wasn't Darien. It was Bobby, a very breath taking, heart
stopping
.... bare chest relaxed and magnificent sight. It was the second time
she'd seen him
this way, but it still took her breath away. He was built powerfully,
sculpted muscles,
wide chest, dark accent hair, rippling arms and a taunt flat mid section
above his
simple everyday swim trunks. She stopped in her tracks, her mouth
dropped open
and she stared. If Darien hadn't noticed her arrival there was no telling
how long
she would have stood there transfixed.
"Hey, Claire come and join us, we have room for one more." Darien
jumped up and
took hold of her hand, taking her beach bag and jolting her out of her
shock.
"Claire? Hi, come sit between us." Bobby also jumped to his feet, but he
was
smiling. He was always happy to see her. He took in her swimsuit, she
looked
fantastic. He was glad he was wearing shades, he could stare without her
knowing.
Bobby spread out her towel, then settled down on his spot next to her.
"Darien invited you to share our time off?"
"Yes, do you mind?" Claire was still shaken, it had been a bad idea for her
to come.
"Mind, me mind? Why would I mind, the more the merrier."
Darien was trying not to laugh, he could tell Bobby was thrilled she'd
joined them.
He was hiding it, but his partner knew him to well.
Bobby was giving all of his attention to Claire, even with all the beautiful
woman
walking around them. He sat sideways, one leg bent up, the other half
Indian style
on his towel. He was telling her a story, making her laugh. Darien was
glad his plan
just might work.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Claire was laughing, Bobby was telling her about the time he'd been out
in the field for a week, he came in with his squad all hot and tired. All
he'd wanted was a hot shower and some cooked food. The shower had
fallen in on him and when he was walking to the first aid station to get
the cut on his arm looked at his towel was blown away by a helicopter
taking off.
"Oh, Bobby you're making that up." She giggled.
"I swear, cross my heart." He made the motion over his chest then held
up his hand to swear it had really happened.
Darien was happy, it looked like they were enjoying each other's
company. He stood and asked if they needed any thing to drink.
"I'd like some water please."
"Yeah, Partner water would be good."
"Two waters coming up." Darien smiled and wandered down the beach
towards the concession stand.
Bobby was happy, Claire was listening to him, she was having a good
time. He'd always known he could keep her entertained if she had just
accepted his offer to dinner one time.
Claire was glad she had come. Bobby was trying so hard to keep her
Laughing, he was so sweet. She was getting use to seeing him with no
shirt. Her heart rate was almost back to normal.
"Want to take a walk cool off a little?"
"Yes, I am getting a little warm." She took his hand as she stood, then
wanted to keep hold of it, but didn't.
They walked next to each other down to the damp sand, at the edge of
the waves. Claire starting to drool all over again, now that he was moving
his muscles rippled with every step.
She was so distracted she mis-stepped and almost fell. She would have if
Bobby hadn't steadied her. Putting one strong hand at her back, and the
other under her elbow.
"Easy there Claire, are you alright?"
"Yes, thank you. I need to watch were I'm going." She stammered, her
pulse racing again.
Bobby was very aware of her, his own heart was beating faster than
usual. "Let me steady you, the sand is kind of uneven." He slipped his
hand down her arm, and took her hand in his.
Claire smiled, and the started to walk again. She had to tell him, ask him
do or say something to see if the feelings she had were mutual.
"Bobby, I don't know if you've noticed." She stopped that was a bad
start.
" Noticed? Is something wrong?" He was on instant alert looking for
trouble.
"No, I mean to say," she stopped and faced him. Her hand still in his,
he looked into his eyes. " I want to tell you something and I'm having
trouble getting the words just right."
"You can tell me anything. Oh, you want to talk about that guy, that's
it isn't it? Darien was telling me you spoke to him."
"A guy, what did Darien tell you?' she was worried he had been treating
her this way because of something he knew.
" There's this guy you like, only you're afraid to tell him. You know
if you ask me the guy must be a real jerk to not know when a lady like
you is interested." Bobby commented.
Claire smiled he didn't know. " I see, you think it would be obvious?'
"Yeah, if he knows anything at all about women."
"I see, then if a lady was interested in you, for instance you would pick
up on it right away?" she smiled again.
"Yeah, I think so, there are certain clues."
"Oh? Give me an example perhaps I'm not giving him the right clues."
"Well for one, she would pay attention to him. Listen to him tell her about
himself, his day, his life you know. She'd probably touch him,
maybe innocently, on the arm or shoulder."
Claire was touching him now, her hand in his felt perfectly at home.
"Yes, go on."
" She might make up excuses to be with him." Bobby wasn't aware of
what was happening, until just then.
"You want to tell me who this guy is who's making you lose sleep?"
Claire lifted her hand to his cheek, " It's you Bobby."
She leaned forward and he met her halfway, their lips touching kissing,
melting into each other. Her hand shifted to his hot chest,
as the kiss continued. It was gentle, and tender, but they both could
tell there was passion lurking.
Bobby placed his free hand on Claire's waist, wanting more contact
with her but at the same time afraid to push for to much to soon.
Claire ended the kiss and looking into his eyes. "I've been wanting
to learn what that would be like for what seems like ages."
She smiled. Her hand on his chest flexed, testing the feel of him.
His chest was hard, she could feel his heart beat.
"We should go back, this isn't the place for this." Bobby wanted
so much more. But a public beach wasn't his idea of the right
place to get intimate with her for the first time.
The walked back to their spot on the beach. Darien had returned,
their water was waiting for them.
" Hey, I met someone I'm going to. . ." He started to make an
excuse to leave then noticed they weren't the happy couple
he'd left a few minutes ago.
"What happened?"
" Nothing Partner, at least nothing bad."
" Then why does Claire look upset?"
"She kissed me, and I suggested we not continue."
"You did what?"
"I ment here, this isn't the right place for that kind of
thing." Bobby whispered.
"I don't think she understood Bobby, she looks crushed."
"I'll see you both tomorrow." Claire had gathered her things
up and was moving off towards the parking lot.
She'd enjoyed the kiss, she wanted more. But when he'd said
they shouldn't continue, she'd never dreamed he wouldn't want
her as much as he'd been chasing her in the past.
"Claire wait, you misunderstood." Bobby started after her.
Then his cell phone rang, it was laying on the towel under the
shirt he'd removed. Claire's phone rang to, from her bag.
That meant it was the agency calling.
"Yes, are you sure? Yes, I'll return at once."
Claire hung up her phone, there's been an emergency. We are all
to return to the Agency ASAP."
"Claire let me explain." Bobby pulled his shirt on and turned off
his phone.
"We have to get back, we can talk later." she dismissed him.
Darien watched feeling like he should do something to keep her
from reacting to the situation the way she was. Bobby did like
her, he'd only been hesitant about starting something in public.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;
1
R
part four
Darien was lying in bed when there was a knock on his door.
"Crap" he remembered to late that Claire was still sleeping on his couch.
He knew it was Hobbes, coming to pick him up for work.
Darien climbed out of bed, and was trying to think when Claire came
into his bedroom.
"What do we do?' she whispered urgently.
"I don't' know."
"Oh, great we are about to get caught and you're not even wearing
clothes."
"I sleep better like this." Darien was holding the end of the sheet over his
lower half, but he was naked.
"Put some clothes or, no wait go get in the shower. I'm going to hide,
there's no evidence I was ever here, unless Bobby saw my car."
"I'll play it how ever you want to Claire."
"Go!"
"Hey, Partner are you up yet?" Hobbes opened the door with the key he'd
mad made so he could get to Fawkes in a hurry if he had to.
Claire was hiding in the bedroom closet with her purse and her eyes
closed tight, saying a prayer she wouldn't be found.
"Hurry up Fawkes, or we are going to be late." Bobby called out to him in
the bathroom.
Darien was taking the fastest shower of his life. He only washed his hair
once and brushed his teeth with his finger. He was climbing out
of the shower and toweling off only five minutes after the knock at his
door.
"Hobbes, is that you?'
"Who else would it be? Unless you've got a lady friend I don't know
about?" Bobby paced across the living room, a hand on his hip, adjusting
the weight of his gun; it tended to ride in the wrong place,
he had to keep adjusting it, just like he had to keep adjusting the family
jewels from time to time.
Claire had a view of him from the closet in the bedroom. Through the
slats of the closet door she could watch Bobby. She blushed alone in
the darkness of the closet as she watched and admired the man she'd
been lusting after for weeks.
Bobby was pacing and preening in front of the mirror in Darien's living
room. When his hand went south, adjusting his package she
almost gasped out loud and gave herself away.
Darien was dressing in the bathroom, he'd grabbed a pair of pants and
underwear off
his dresser where he'd left them after washing stuff over the weekend.
"Hobbes can we stop for coffee."
"Already taken care of my friend, hurry up."
"I just have to grab a shirt, and I'm good to go." Darien exited the
steamy bathroom,
his hair still damp, but looking as wild as always.
Darien reached into his closet and took the shirt behind Claire. Her eyes
were wide
with fright, he kept his expression neutral so he wouldn't give her away.
He pulled
the shirt over his head and tugged the tail down.
"Let's go."
Claire breathed a sigh of relief once the door closed behind them. She
stayed in the
bedroom a minute, then checked at the window to make sure they were
gone.
:::::::::::::::::::::
Claire made it home and changed clothes in record time. She called
Eberts to cover
for her, she was only fifteen minutes late.
Hobbes and Fawkes were in a briefing with the Official, so they didn't see
her
arrive late.
"Is there anything wrong, Claire?'
"No, Eberts. Thank you for you help, I over slept, now I feel all rushed
and
out of sync, I hate that feeling, don't you?" she tried to change the
subject.
"Yes as a matter of fact I do hate being rushed. I prefer to work at my
own
pace." Eberts nodded and went back to the office.
Claire was calm and working on her lab reports when the guys stopped
in.
"Good morning Claire, you said you wanted to check my arm."
"Good morning Darien, Bobby." she looked up, and flushed at the sudden
memory
of what Bobby had been doing the last time she'd seen him.
"Beautiful morning today Keepy, you should take a break outside today.
Get some sun." Bobby smiled at her.
She knew then that he'd know she was at Darien's or at least had been at
Darien's. She was crushed that he'd not confronted them, he must not
mean all the flirting.
"Darien let me see your arm," she reached to unwrap the gauze, the spot
was
fine only a slight pinkness there now. "Let the air get to this now, it looks
fine."
Darien could see she was upset, her hands shook as she turned away and
went
back to her stool.
"Thanks, we have to go." he tried to get her to look at him, he wanted to
signal
to her that everything was OK.
"Come on Partner, we have work to do." Hobbes urged Darien.
"See you later Claire."
"Be careful you two."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Once they were in the van and driving to the location for the nest black
bag job
Darien was to perform on behalf of the Agency. Bobby questioned his
partner.
"So you didn't take my advice, you and Claire were together last night?"
Darien was on his second cup of coffee, he almost spilled it on himself
when
Hobbes spoke.
"She was in my place last night, but it's not like that."
"I warned you buddy, don't play games with her." Bobby was angry.
"She needed advice, she's all torn up about a guy she has it bad for.
She needed to talk to someone about him, I offered." Darien tried to
make it
sound innocent.
"Who is he? That Doctor guy that worked the case last month with her
and Eberts.
Yeah has to be him, he was all tall and smooth, acting like he was to good
to
talk with the field agents." Bobby sneered.
"No, it's not him. Claire has more sense that that."
"Who then, do I know him?'
"Yeah, but I can't tell you, she confided in me Hobbes."
"If I know him he has to be from the Agency. That new guy that just
transferred
in from Washington last month?'
Hobbes stop guessing, I can't tell you. Look you're on the wrong track
anyway.
Why do you think Claire would pick someone like Dr. Grayson, he was a
jerk."
"She must like that intelligent, scientist/professor type. She had a thing
for
Kevin didn't she?'
"Yeah, but I think that was different. I mean that doesn't mean she only
likes
scientist types. She knew Kevin for a long time, before she was in love
with him."
"You're sure you're telling me the truth here? She wasn't over at your
place to
see you?'
"No, not like that. I'm not the guy she'd losing sleep over."
"That bad? She isn't sleeping? You know she has looked a little tired the
past few days." Bobby nodded.
Darien wanted to tell his partner he was the man. He knew how much
Bobby
cared for Claire. But she seemed to think she wasn't right for him. Darien
was
going to have to work on her a little longer, convince her that Hobbes and
she
were a perfect for each other.
They reached the building Darien was supposed to sneak into. Bobby
checked the
surrounding area, it was clear.
"OK Partner, you have about fifteen minutes until the roving patrol comes
back."
"See ya later." Darien quick silvered himself and went inside.
Bobby kept watch, checking the area for any signs of trouble. He checked
his
watch every few minutes, he would go in and rescue his partner if he had
to.
"Got it. Let's get out of here." Darien touched Bobby's shoulder.
Hobbes whirled around in time to see the quicksilver dropping off his
partner.
"Don't do that!" Bobby had his gun drawn and ready, he had to refrain
from
shooting when Fawkes touched him.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"This is good work men. I'm very pleased with your swift completion of
this mission." The Official told them.
"Thanks chief." Hobbes was sitting back in the chair in the Official's office,
smiling it wasn't often they were praised by him.
"Thanks, but it wasn't a difficult security system, it was out dated."
Darien added.
"Just the same it was good work. Eberts, is the file ready for the next
case?'
"Yes, sir but the contact hasn't checked in yet." Eberts whispered.
"Hobbes, Fawkes take the rest of the day off, we'll brief you in the
morning
on the next case."
Bobby and Darien low fived each other. It was only a half day off, but it
was
still a treat neither of them was used to.
:::::::::::::::::
Darien had an idea, the last time they had gotten time off Hobbes had
wanted to spend
it at the beach. But Darien had other plans.
"Hobbes, I own you a day at the beach, what do you say to hanging out,
catching
some rays, watch the hotties in swimsuits strolling past?'
"Sounds good Partner, I've still go my stuff in the van."
"I'll meet you outside in a few minutes." Darien wanted to invite Claire
along too.
::::
"Claire grab your swimsuit, Hobbes and I have the rest of the day off."
Darien danced over to her at her work table.
"That doesn't mean I can leave with you, Darien." she looked up
surprised at his
sudden entrance.
"Sure it does, you deserve a few hours off, come on go with us to the
beach.
Work on your tan," He was bending to look into her eyes, he'd taken her
hand
as if to dance with her, but he only turned her to face him. "Come on you
know
you want to."
She hesitated, then took off her lab coat. "Which beach will you be at?"
"Alright! Down by the place we had the last steak out."
:::::::::::::::::
"Fawkes, will you relax. What are you looking for? All the hotties are
down this
way."
"Oh, yeah right." Darien turned back towards the surf, there were pretty
young
women walking around in all typed os swim wear. But Darien was worried
Claire
had chickened out on joining them. It had been over an hour since they
had
arrived.
Claire had almost turned around and gone home twice. Then it took her
forever
to find a parking space. She'd gone home to change into her tank-ini.
She'd
slathered on the sunscreen and dug out her hat. She didn't tan quickly
and
needed the protection. She was walking towards the beach, nervous
butterflies
in her stomach. She wasn't sure she could pull this off, acting casual with
Bobby in this setting. He was bound to be wearing less than she was used
to
seeing him in. She was also a little self conscious about her own
appearance.
She couldn't compete with all the young beautiful woman parading up
and
down the beach.
Claire approached the area Darien had said they would be near. She was
looking
over the crowd. Searching for the familiar tall frame and spiky hair. The
person
she spotted first wasn't Darien. It was Bobby, a very breath taking, heart
stopping
.... bare chest relaxed and magnificent sight. It was the second time
she'd seen him
this way, but it still took her breath away. He was built powerfully,
sculpted muscles,
wide chest, dark accent hair, rippling arms and a taunt flat mid section
above his
simple everyday swim trunks. She stopped in her tracks, her mouth
dropped open
and she stared. If Darien hadn't noticed her arrival there was no telling
how long
she would have stood there transfixed.
"Hey, Claire come and join us, we have room for one more." Darien
jumped up and
took hold of her hand, taking her beach bag and jolting her out of her
shock.
"Claire? Hi, come sit between us." Bobby also jumped to his feet, but he
was
smiling. He was always happy to see her. He took in her swimsuit, she
looked
fantastic. He was glad he was wearing shades, he could stare without her
knowing.
Bobby spread out her towel, then settled down on his spot next to her.
"Darien invited you to share our time off?"
"Yes, do you mind?" Claire was still shaken, it had been a bad idea for her
to come.
"Mind, me mind? Why would I mind, the more the merrier."
Darien was trying not to laugh, he could tell Bobby was thrilled she'd
joined them.
He was hiding it, but his partner knew him to well.
Bobby was giving all of his attention to Claire, even with all the beautiful
woman
walking around them. He sat sideways, one leg bent up, the other half
Indian style
on his towel. He was telling her a story, making her laugh. Darien was
glad his plan
just might work.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Claire was laughing, Bobby was telling her about the time he'd been out
in the field for a week, he came in with his squad all hot and tired. All
he'd wanted was a hot shower and some cooked food. The shower had
fallen in on him and when he was walking to the first aid station to get
the cut on his arm looked at his towel was blown away by a helicopter
taking off.
"Oh, Bobby you're making that up." She giggled.
"I swear, cross my heart." He made the motion over his chest then held
up his hand to swear it had really happened.
Darien was happy, it looked like they were enjoying each other's
company. He stood and asked if they needed any thing to drink.
"I'd like some water please."
"Yeah, Partner water would be good."
"Two waters coming up." Darien smiled and wandered down the beach
towards the concession stand.
Bobby was happy, Claire was listening to him, she was having a good
time. He'd always known he could keep her entertained if she had just
accepted his offer to dinner one time.
Claire was glad she had come. Bobby was trying so hard to keep her
Laughing, he was so sweet. She was getting use to seeing him with no
shirt. Her heart rate was almost back to normal.
"Want to take a walk cool off a little?"
"Yes, I am getting a little warm." She took his hand as she stood, then
wanted to keep hold of it, but didn't.
They walked next to each other down to the damp sand, at the edge of
the waves. Claire starting to drool all over again, now that he was moving
his muscles rippled with every step.
She was so distracted she mis-stepped and almost fell. She would have if
Bobby hadn't steadied her. Putting one strong hand at her back, and the
other under her elbow.
"Easy there Claire, are you alright?"
"Yes, thank you. I need to watch were I'm going." She stammered, her
pulse racing again.
Bobby was very aware of her, his own heart was beating faster than
usual. "Let me steady you, the sand is kind of uneven." He slipped his
hand down her arm, and took her hand in his.
Claire smiled, and the started to walk again. She had to tell him, ask him
do or say something to see if the feelings she had were mutual.
"Bobby, I don't know if you've noticed." She stopped that was a bad
start.
" Noticed? Is something wrong?" He was on instant alert looking for
trouble.
"No, I mean to say," she stopped and faced him. Her hand still in his,
he looked into his eyes. " I want to tell you something and I'm having
trouble getting the words just right."
"You can tell me anything. Oh, you want to talk about that guy, that's
it isn't it? Darien was telling me you spoke to him."
"A guy, what did Darien tell you?' she was worried he had been treating
her this way because of something he knew.
" There's this guy you like, only you're afraid to tell him. You know
if you ask me the guy must be a real jerk to not know when a lady like
you is interested." Bobby commented.
Claire smiled he didn't know. " I see, you think it would be obvious?'
"Yeah, if he knows anything at all about women."
"I see, then if a lady was interested in you, for instance you would pick
up on it right away?" she smiled again.
"Yeah, I think so, there are certain clues."
"Oh? Give me an example perhaps I'm not giving him the right clues."
"Well for one, she would pay attention to him. Listen to him tell her about
himself, his day, his life you know. She'd probably touch him,
maybe innocently, on the arm or shoulder."
Claire was touching him now, her hand in his felt perfectly at home.
"Yes, go on."
" She might make up excuses to be with him." Bobby wasn't aware of
what was happening, until just then.
"You want to tell me who this guy is who's making you lose sleep?"
Claire lifted her hand to his cheek, " It's you Bobby."
She leaned forward and he met her halfway, their lips touching kissing,
melting into each other. Her hand shifted to his hot chest,
as the kiss continued. It was gentle, and tender, but they both could
tell there was passion lurking.
Bobby placed his free hand on Claire's waist, wanting more contact
with her but at the same time afraid to push for to much to soon.
Claire ended the kiss and looking into his eyes. "I've been wanting
to learn what that would be like for what seems like ages."
She smiled. Her hand on his chest flexed, testing the feel of him.
His chest was hard, she could feel his heart beat.
"We should go back, this isn't the place for this." Bobby wanted
so much more. But a public beach wasn't his idea of the right
place to get intimate with her for the first time.
The walked back to their spot on the beach. Darien had returned,
their water was waiting for them.
" Hey, I met someone I'm going to. . ." He started to make an
excuse to leave then noticed they weren't the happy couple
he'd left a few minutes ago.
"What happened?"
" Nothing Partner, at least nothing bad."
" Then why does Claire look upset?"
"She kissed me, and I suggested we not continue."
"You did what?"
"I ment here, this isn't the right place for that kind of
thing." Bobby whispered.
"I don't think she understood Bobby, she looks crushed."
"I'll see you both tomorrow." Claire had gathered her things
up and was moving off towards the parking lot.
She'd enjoyed the kiss, she wanted more. But when he'd said
they shouldn't continue, she'd never dreamed he wouldn't want
her as much as he'd been chasing her in the past.
"Claire wait, you misunderstood." Bobby started after her.
Then his cell phone rang, it was laying on the towel under the
shirt he'd removed. Claire's phone rang to, from her bag.
That meant it was the agency calling.
"Yes, are you sure? Yes, I'll return at once."
Claire hung up her phone, there's been an emergency. We are all
to return to the Agency ASAP."
"Claire let me explain." Bobby pulled his shirt on and turned off
his phone.
"We have to get back, we can talk later." she dismissed him.
Darien watched feeling like he should do something to keep her
from reacting to the situation the way she was. Bobby did like
her, he'd only been hesitant about starting something in public.
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