part seven
Bobby was glad they had made it back. He knew Darien was close to the edge.
He didn't know how close.
Darien was following his partner. But the beginnings of quicksilver madness
were already affecting him. The pain in his head and neck, increasing. He
stopped swimming, treading water, and rolling his shoulders in an attempt to
ease the pain.
He watched Bobby moving further away. He thought about swimming in the
other direction, getting himself away from his partner and Claire before he did
something to hurt either of them.
Bobby noticed Darien's absence, he circled back.
He waved to Darien to follow him, they were close to the spot Claire was
waiting. Darien nodded, and went along. He surfaced on the edge of the lake,
pulling his face mask off. His eyes red, he was already there.
"Claire you're always are eager to jab me with that needle aren't you." he
growled at her.
"Now Darien this is for your own good. It will make the pain go away."
she approached him carefully.
"The pain is only there because of what you did to me." Darien spat at her, he
dropped his air tank to the sand and moved sideways keeping his eyes on
Claire.
Bobby had removed all of his gear, he was waiting for an opening, he was
going to have to hurt Darien, to subdue him. He hated using his martial arts
skill against his partner, but it was the only way.
"Keep away from me with that needle Doc, or your going to regret ever having
met me." Darien glared at her, his eyes very red, his voice harsh and
threatening.
Bobby saw his chance and moved in, he grabbed one of his partners wrists,
and twisted the arm behind his back. " Fawkes just hold still for a second.
Claire are you ready with that thing?"
Claire moved in close and was aiming for Darien's neck, when he broke Bobby's
hold on him. Bobby was thrown through the air, landing several feet from his
partner and the doctor.
"I warned you." Darien grabbed hold of Claire by the neck and Claire fought
back. She pounded on his arms, with her fists, but it had no effect on his grip.
Bobby jumped on Darien's back, putting a choke hold on him, it was like riding
a bucking bull. Darien whirled around and twisted and grabbed for his attacker.
Bobby knew if he could hold on for long enough his partner would lose
consciousness.
" I'll get you..." Darien gasped, reaching for Bobby, put there was nothing for
him to grab, the wet suit to tight to grasp. He fell to his knees, the oxygen
cut off to his lungs. Bobby held tight, knowing it would be another few seconds.
"Claire get ready."
Darien fell sideways when he passed out. Bobby kept him partially upright.
Claire rushed forward, sticking him with the needle full of counteragent.
"There it's in, keep a hold on him." She put the needle safely away and
turned back to help Bobby hold Darien as the counteragent hit his system.
His lean body convulsed, he cried out in pain with his first gasp of air.
"Hang on buddy, it will be over in a minute." Bobby held Darien by the
shoulders, when the second wave of pain passed, Bobby began to rub his partners
back. Easing the knot of muscles clenched tight in response to the pain.
Claire was staring at Darien, checking his tatoo for signs that the counteragent
was working. It wasn't changing as quickly as usual. Darien seemed to be
experiencing more pain.
"What's the matter Claire, it doesn't take this long?" Bobby held on to his
partner, his eyes reflecting his panic.
"I don't know, he must have been farther gone than we realized. She looked
in one eye lifting his eyes lid. His eyes looked normal. They were back to
their normal deep brown.
Darien groaned, and blinked at her when she released him. " What's going on?"
He groaned again and tried to uncurl from his fetal position on his side.
Bobby still kneeled behind him, a hand massaging his back.
"You feeling better now Fawkes?'
"My head is still pounding, did you give me a shot yet?"
"Yes, it's taking longer to work than usual. How far gone were you?"
"I don't know, the last thing I remember was quicksilvering us both to come
back out of the detection area."
"That was ten minutes before we got here, no wonder he was past the safe
point." Bobby was shaking his head, he couldn't believe Darien had maintained
control under the influence of the madness so long.
"Let me see," Claire looked in his eyes again, checked his pulse and the tatoo.
The tatoo was back to all green. His pulse was slower, returning to normal.
Darien took a deep breath and unzipped his wet suit, "Man I'm hot, can we go
back to the motel or something? Did you disarm all of the bombs?"
Claire was use to the sight of his bare chest, as often as she had taken care of
him during his recovery. But it was still a magnificent sight, his body was lean
but it was sculpted with muscle.
"Yeah, but I only could get two of the vials out of them." Bobby stood and
retrieved the bag from the safety of the rocks he'd placed it. He handed it
to Claire.
"Can you walk Partner?"
"Yeah, I think so." Darien groaned again as he moved to stand. He was unsteady
on his feet.
"Wait a second," Bobby gathered the air tanks and carried them to the van. He'd
parked it off to the side of the road, under some trees so it wasn't easy
spotted.
Darien was moving towards the van with Claire's assistance.
"Why does it hurt in my stomach and back?" he asked, unable to straighten up
to his full height.
" You had to be restrained, the quicksilver madness took over."
" Did I hurt you?" Darien stopped and lifted her head, a hand to her chin.
"Oh crap, did I try and strangle you again?"
" Yes, but Bobby pulled you off me, I'm fine." She promised him.
Bobby was back, he supported Darien from the other side. "Ok, Partner let's
get you somewhere where you can rest."
"Did I hurt you Hobbes?"
"No, I'm tough it's going to take more than being thrown like a rag doll to
earn me another medal." Bobby was making light of what had happened.
They helped Darien into the van, and Claire took the jump seat behind the
two passenger seats. Bobby drove to a different motel, he checked in with
the Official using only land lines, cell phones were to risky.
Darien stretched out on one of the beds and was asleep almost at once.
"He'll sleep for several hours. He needs to recover and sleep is the best
thing for him."
" The other team was only partially successful. The fat man wants us to
head north." Bobby looked worried, he wasn't sure Darien was up to more.
"No, he can't. Bobby, what do they want you to do now?" Claire was angry,
they expected to much from them.
" The team that was sent in to disarm the bombs at lake Shasta missed.
There are still several active. They think Darien can sneak past and complete
the mission." Bobby explained. He was angry also, but he understood the
reason the Official was ordering them north.
"When do we have to leave?"
"He wanted us to leave now, but I bought us a few hours." Bobby shook his head,
"It's up to us now."
Claire sighed, and threw up her hands. Bobby watched her, wanting to comfort
her.
But unsure if she'd welcome him offer. He touched her back, she was all tense.
"It's so unfair." She turned towards Bobby, he engulfed her in a strong hug.
Claire's head bowed to the hollow of his shoulder.
" It is, but it's our job." he held her close, she was crying. It hurt him to
hear her
suffering, he wanted so much for her to not hurt.
Claire's arms around him were holding tight to his back, it took her a few
minutes
in his arms to calm down. Then she noticed how good it felt, his back under her
hands was cords of muscle. He'd changed into a blue button shirt when he'd
taken off the wet suit, but he'd not worn a tee shirt under it. She could feel
his
body heat through the thin material. His hair was still damp at the nap of his
neck.
"You feeling better now?" Bobby asked, easing his hold on her.
"Yes, thank you. Don't you ever get tired of being everyone's rock Bobby?"
"No, but I don't think accepting a little help from a friend is a big deal. I've
needed assistance often enough in my life." he looked into her eyes.
Bobby wanted to kiss her, but was holding back.
" Have I told you, I like being in your arms? You make me feel safe, protected."
Claire confessed.
" I'm glad." he didn't know what else to say.
"Did you over hear what I said last night?"
"Some of it."
" I'd like the opportunity to spend the night in your arms. But not for
comforting."
Bobby smiled, "It would be my pleasure," he kissed her then, his mouth
covering hers, warm and tender at first then hot and passionate. Claire
moaned, opening her mouth to him. She'd never been kissed like this,
her past relationships were no comparison to Bobby.
Bobby allowed himself to show Claire his true feelings for her, he'd been
admiring her from a distance for so long. Flirting, offering his support,
being a friend. When she'd first shown an interest on the beach two days
ago he'd been through for a loop. He'd welcomed her attentions, then backed
off, not wanting to start things in a public place. Now they were alone, except
for a sleeping Darien. He molded her body to his, loving the feel of her breasts
pressed into his hard chest. She tasted sweeter than he'd imagined.
But her response to him was everything he wanted.
"Claire how far do you want to take this?' His eyes were dark with passion, his
hand smoothing the hair off her face.
" I want you so much, but not in the same room with Darien."
" Is it safe to leave him alone for a little while?"
"Yes, he's resting comfortably."
"I can get us the room next door, it you want..." he didn't finish the
statement.
Claire was moving against him telling him with her actions what she wanted.
"I'll be right back," Bobby bolted for the door, he had to take a deep breath
and
compose himself before hurrying to the desk clerk to get a second room.
end part seven
Bobby was glad they had made it back. He knew Darien was close to the edge.
He didn't know how close.
Darien was following his partner. But the beginnings of quicksilver madness
were already affecting him. The pain in his head and neck, increasing. He
stopped swimming, treading water, and rolling his shoulders in an attempt to
ease the pain.
He watched Bobby moving further away. He thought about swimming in the
other direction, getting himself away from his partner and Claire before he did
something to hurt either of them.
Bobby noticed Darien's absence, he circled back.
He waved to Darien to follow him, they were close to the spot Claire was
waiting. Darien nodded, and went along. He surfaced on the edge of the lake,
pulling his face mask off. His eyes red, he was already there.
"Claire you're always are eager to jab me with that needle aren't you." he
growled at her.
"Now Darien this is for your own good. It will make the pain go away."
she approached him carefully.
"The pain is only there because of what you did to me." Darien spat at her, he
dropped his air tank to the sand and moved sideways keeping his eyes on
Claire.
Bobby had removed all of his gear, he was waiting for an opening, he was
going to have to hurt Darien, to subdue him. He hated using his martial arts
skill against his partner, but it was the only way.
"Keep away from me with that needle Doc, or your going to regret ever having
met me." Darien glared at her, his eyes very red, his voice harsh and
threatening.
Bobby saw his chance and moved in, he grabbed one of his partners wrists,
and twisted the arm behind his back. " Fawkes just hold still for a second.
Claire are you ready with that thing?"
Claire moved in close and was aiming for Darien's neck, when he broke Bobby's
hold on him. Bobby was thrown through the air, landing several feet from his
partner and the doctor.
"I warned you." Darien grabbed hold of Claire by the neck and Claire fought
back. She pounded on his arms, with her fists, but it had no effect on his grip.
Bobby jumped on Darien's back, putting a choke hold on him, it was like riding
a bucking bull. Darien whirled around and twisted and grabbed for his attacker.
Bobby knew if he could hold on for long enough his partner would lose
consciousness.
" I'll get you..." Darien gasped, reaching for Bobby, put there was nothing for
him to grab, the wet suit to tight to grasp. He fell to his knees, the oxygen
cut off to his lungs. Bobby held tight, knowing it would be another few seconds.
"Claire get ready."
Darien fell sideways when he passed out. Bobby kept him partially upright.
Claire rushed forward, sticking him with the needle full of counteragent.
"There it's in, keep a hold on him." She put the needle safely away and
turned back to help Bobby hold Darien as the counteragent hit his system.
His lean body convulsed, he cried out in pain with his first gasp of air.
"Hang on buddy, it will be over in a minute." Bobby held Darien by the
shoulders, when the second wave of pain passed, Bobby began to rub his partners
back. Easing the knot of muscles clenched tight in response to the pain.
Claire was staring at Darien, checking his tatoo for signs that the counteragent
was working. It wasn't changing as quickly as usual. Darien seemed to be
experiencing more pain.
"What's the matter Claire, it doesn't take this long?" Bobby held on to his
partner, his eyes reflecting his panic.
"I don't know, he must have been farther gone than we realized. She looked
in one eye lifting his eyes lid. His eyes looked normal. They were back to
their normal deep brown.
Darien groaned, and blinked at her when she released him. " What's going on?"
He groaned again and tried to uncurl from his fetal position on his side.
Bobby still kneeled behind him, a hand massaging his back.
"You feeling better now Fawkes?'
"My head is still pounding, did you give me a shot yet?"
"Yes, it's taking longer to work than usual. How far gone were you?"
"I don't know, the last thing I remember was quicksilvering us both to come
back out of the detection area."
"That was ten minutes before we got here, no wonder he was past the safe
point." Bobby was shaking his head, he couldn't believe Darien had maintained
control under the influence of the madness so long.
"Let me see," Claire looked in his eyes again, checked his pulse and the tatoo.
The tatoo was back to all green. His pulse was slower, returning to normal.
Darien took a deep breath and unzipped his wet suit, "Man I'm hot, can we go
back to the motel or something? Did you disarm all of the bombs?"
Claire was use to the sight of his bare chest, as often as she had taken care of
him during his recovery. But it was still a magnificent sight, his body was lean
but it was sculpted with muscle.
"Yeah, but I only could get two of the vials out of them." Bobby stood and
retrieved the bag from the safety of the rocks he'd placed it. He handed it
to Claire.
"Can you walk Partner?"
"Yeah, I think so." Darien groaned again as he moved to stand. He was unsteady
on his feet.
"Wait a second," Bobby gathered the air tanks and carried them to the van. He'd
parked it off to the side of the road, under some trees so it wasn't easy
spotted.
Darien was moving towards the van with Claire's assistance.
"Why does it hurt in my stomach and back?" he asked, unable to straighten up
to his full height.
" You had to be restrained, the quicksilver madness took over."
" Did I hurt you?" Darien stopped and lifted her head, a hand to her chin.
"Oh crap, did I try and strangle you again?"
" Yes, but Bobby pulled you off me, I'm fine." She promised him.
Bobby was back, he supported Darien from the other side. "Ok, Partner let's
get you somewhere where you can rest."
"Did I hurt you Hobbes?"
"No, I'm tough it's going to take more than being thrown like a rag doll to
earn me another medal." Bobby was making light of what had happened.
They helped Darien into the van, and Claire took the jump seat behind the
two passenger seats. Bobby drove to a different motel, he checked in with
the Official using only land lines, cell phones were to risky.
Darien stretched out on one of the beds and was asleep almost at once.
"He'll sleep for several hours. He needs to recover and sleep is the best
thing for him."
" The other team was only partially successful. The fat man wants us to
head north." Bobby looked worried, he wasn't sure Darien was up to more.
"No, he can't. Bobby, what do they want you to do now?" Claire was angry,
they expected to much from them.
" The team that was sent in to disarm the bombs at lake Shasta missed.
There are still several active. They think Darien can sneak past and complete
the mission." Bobby explained. He was angry also, but he understood the
reason the Official was ordering them north.
"When do we have to leave?"
"He wanted us to leave now, but I bought us a few hours." Bobby shook his head,
"It's up to us now."
Claire sighed, and threw up her hands. Bobby watched her, wanting to comfort
her.
But unsure if she'd welcome him offer. He touched her back, she was all tense.
"It's so unfair." She turned towards Bobby, he engulfed her in a strong hug.
Claire's head bowed to the hollow of his shoulder.
" It is, but it's our job." he held her close, she was crying. It hurt him to
hear her
suffering, he wanted so much for her to not hurt.
Claire's arms around him were holding tight to his back, it took her a few
minutes
in his arms to calm down. Then she noticed how good it felt, his back under her
hands was cords of muscle. He'd changed into a blue button shirt when he'd
taken off the wet suit, but he'd not worn a tee shirt under it. She could feel
his
body heat through the thin material. His hair was still damp at the nap of his
neck.
"You feeling better now?" Bobby asked, easing his hold on her.
"Yes, thank you. Don't you ever get tired of being everyone's rock Bobby?"
"No, but I don't think accepting a little help from a friend is a big deal. I've
needed assistance often enough in my life." he looked into her eyes.
Bobby wanted to kiss her, but was holding back.
" Have I told you, I like being in your arms? You make me feel safe, protected."
Claire confessed.
" I'm glad." he didn't know what else to say.
"Did you over hear what I said last night?"
"Some of it."
" I'd like the opportunity to spend the night in your arms. But not for
comforting."
Bobby smiled, "It would be my pleasure," he kissed her then, his mouth
covering hers, warm and tender at first then hot and passionate. Claire
moaned, opening her mouth to him. She'd never been kissed like this,
her past relationships were no comparison to Bobby.
Bobby allowed himself to show Claire his true feelings for her, he'd been
admiring her from a distance for so long. Flirting, offering his support,
being a friend. When she'd first shown an interest on the beach two days
ago he'd been through for a loop. He'd welcomed her attentions, then backed
off, not wanting to start things in a public place. Now they were alone, except
for a sleeping Darien. He molded her body to his, loving the feel of her breasts
pressed into his hard chest. She tasted sweeter than he'd imagined.
But her response to him was everything he wanted.
"Claire how far do you want to take this?' His eyes were dark with passion, his
hand smoothing the hair off her face.
" I want you so much, but not in the same room with Darien."
" Is it safe to leave him alone for a little while?"
"Yes, he's resting comfortably."
"I can get us the room next door, it you want..." he didn't finish the
statement.
Claire was moving against him telling him with her actions what she wanted.
"I'll be right back," Bobby bolted for the door, he had to take a deep breath
and
compose himself before hurrying to the desk clerk to get a second room.
end part seven