Devil's Silver #7 A Wedding Story
By Carol M.
Summary: A wedding, I-man style
Spoilers: Ralph, Impetus, Reunion, Father Figure, Beholder, Separation Anxiety, Value of Secrets, Pilot, maybe more that I'm forgetting
Rating: PG
Tough Love: a smidgen of angst in a few parts
Disclaimer: I don't own them, I'm merely helped with the wedding plans
Author's Note: This story is meant to be a good time for all. A little romantic, a little corny and a lot of fun, at least I hope:) And yes, there will be a Devil's Silver #8 filled with tons of romance, angst, torture and tears. But for now, sit back, relax and have a piece of wedding cake!
Darien Bartholomew Fawkes
And
Claire Marie Spencer
Cordially invite you to share in the joy of their marriage
Saturday, the first of September
Two thousand and one
At half past six o'clock
Kensington Beach
San Diego, California
Three months after Wicked Game
August 30, 2001
Armando's Formal Wear
"Oh, god, I think I'm gonna hurl!" said Eberts as he clutched his stomach.
Darien and Bobby both exchanged glances. "Hurl?" said Darien softly.
Bobby patted Eberts on the back. "I told you to go easy on the rum and cokes last night, my friend," said Bobby.
Eberts nodded in misery. "I guess my body just isn't used to getting jiggy with it."
"Ebes, you know it's okay, man. Some people just can't hold their alcohol," said Darien with a wan smile.
"Hey there, Kegmeister, but you're looking a little green there yourself," said Bobby.
Darien looked insulted. "Hey buddy, I can't help it that I have a sensitive system, okay. Besides, you're supposed to be backing me up here. You are the best man, after all," said Darien.
"People," yelled the Official as he came out of his dressing room. "Can we please cut the chatter and get down to business," he said gruffly. He walked fully out of the dressing room and stepped in front of the mirror. "Now how do I look?" he asked.
Darien whistled as he took in the Official's appearance. He was decked out in a black tuxedo jacket and pants, with a crisp white shirt and a matching white tie. "Very nice, chief, very nice," Darien said, holding two thumbs up in the air.
The Official glanced over at a sickly looking Eberts. "What's the problem, Eberts?" he asked.
"Oh, ah nothing sir, nothing at all," Eberts tried to say calmly. He suddenly looked at them with panic. "I'll be right back," he said as he grabbed his mouth and ran for the bathroom.
Bobby shook his head. "I told him about the rum and cokes," he said softly.
"Hobbes, enough about the rum and cokes," said Darien with annoyance.
"Well, I'm just saying," whispered Bobby. He noticed Darien's look and shut up.
The owner of Armando's Formal Wear, Armando himself, walked up to Darien, carrying a sleek black tuxedo in his arms. "Mr. Fawkes, your suit sir," he said as he handed the tux to Darien.
Darien stared in disbelief at the tux Armando had just handed him. In addition to the pants and jacket, there was a shirt, a tie, suspenders and some wide piece of fabric that he couldn't identify. He played it cool, however. "Thanks, Armando, you've been a big help," Darien said with a smile. "I'm just going to try this on," he said as he stepped into the dressing room.
Bobby eyed Armando curiously. Armando returned the look. "Mr. Hobbes, I trust your tux was a perfect fit?" he asked.
"Oh yeah, yeah. Little tight in the arms, but that's just because I've been working out, you know. Nothing to worry about," said Bobby as he ran his hands over his tuxedo-clad arms.
"Good, good," said Armando. He looked over at the Official. "This one was a work of art. Fit to perfection, I think," said Armando as he walked over to the Official and pulled slightly on his jacket.
The Official smiled awkwardly. "Ah yes, perfect fit."
"Well, if you fellas need anymore help, do not hesitate to ask," said Armando, as he glanced around his shop.
He stared in horror as Eberts returned from the bathroom, his tux disheveled and wrinkled. "A tragedy," said Armando sadly as he walked back to the cashier to ring up a customer.
"Feeling better, Eberts?" Bobby said sarcastically.
"Yes, Robert," Eberts replied with equal venom.
"Too many rum and cokes," said Bobby.
"Will you please shut the hell up about the rum and cokes, Hobbes," called Darien from the dressing room. "Aw crap," they heard him mutter softly.
"Problems, Fawkesy?" asked Bobby.
"Oh a…no…everything's under control," Darien said. "Damn it," he muttered.
Darien walked out of the dressing room with his shirt untucked, his tie crooked and his suspenders crisscrossed in the front. He held up the wide piece of fabric that Armando had given him, looking at it curiously. "What the hell is this?" he asked simply.
Bobby shook his head. "Now this is a tragedy," he said. "That is a cummerbund, Fawkes, it goes around your waist," he said as he grabbed it out of Darien's hand and held it against his waist.
Darien shook his head. "Okay, okay, that's it, I'm wearing my own clothes to the wedding. I can't take this crap. I refuse to wear a freakin cumber… whatever," said Darien.
"Oh no your not Fawkesy. Knowing you, you'll show up in your torn up tan jacket and converses, looking like some sort of panhandler. No, Bobby Hobbes is going to make sure his partner looks good on his wedding day," he said as he pushed a struggling Darien back into the dressing room. "Armando, a little help please," yelled Bobby.
"Hobbes, no, not Armando, Hobbes," yelled Darien as he was pushed back into the dressing room. He sat heavily on the little bench in the dressing room. "I knew we should have gone to Vegas. We could've been married by Elvis, but no, no, I have to wear this damn thing. I'm officially in hell," he said to himself.
Okay, maybe hell wasn't the right word. He was marrying the woman of his dreams after all. No, no, it was just these little details that were driving him crazy. But he absolutely could not wait to marry Miss Claire Spencer, soon to be Mrs. Claire Fawkes.
The last few months had been a blur, what with working the usual caseload for the Agency and planning the wedding. Okay, so he hadn't actually planned the wedding, but still he had been there while Claire made all the arrangements. Well, there was that one arrangement that Darien had taken care of.
As Armando came in to help Darien dress correctly, Darien looked down at his jeans, which were lying on the floor next to his barfly T-shirt. A small golden key on a golden chain hung out of the back pocket of the jeans. Darien smiled amongst Armando's tugging and tying, thinking of how he had come to acquire his flower girl.
Two months earlier
"Do you really think this is such a good idea, partner?" asked Bobby anxiously as he and Darien sat parked in front of Jessica Semplar's house.
Darien looked at Bobby nervously. "I don't know. But all I know is that I think Jessica would make the perfect flower girl, and I would really like her to be in my wedding," he said.
"Yeah, one little problem there, genius, but Jessica thinks you're imaginary and that your name is Ralph," replied Bobby.
"Okay, so I have a little explaining to do," replied Darien defensively as he got out of the van and slammed the door. "Wish me luck," he called to Bobby as he walked up to the sidewalk. He got up to the door and knocked, nervously shuffling back and forth.
The door opened suddenly, revealing a nine year old Jessica Semplar. She looked at him with surprise. "Ralph?" she said. She smiled widely and ran into Darien's arms, hugging him tightly.
Darien returned the hug with equal warmth. God, he had missed this kid.
"Ralph, Ralph, what are you doing here?" asked Jessica with excitement.
"Jessica, what are you doing?" asked a woman who walked out the door. She looked at Darien with fear. "Who are you and what are you doing with my daughter?" she asked as she pulled Jessica towards her.
Darien shook his head. "Oh, no, no ma'am, it's nothing like that. I... uh well, I knew your daughter a few years ago and I wanted to say hi. I was her, uh, teacher," he offered up, eyeing Jessica.
Jessica nodded. "Yeah, mom, he was my teacher."
"I was just wondering if I could talk to her for a few minutes. I have something I need to tell her, about her, ah... classmates," said Darien quickly.
Jessica looked up at her mom anxiously. "Please, mom?" she said.
Jessica's mother looked Darien up and down and then slowly nodded. "All right, but this door stays open," she said.
Darien nodded. "Thanks ma'am, it'll just be a few minutes," he said with an appreciative smile.
Jessica's mom slowly walked into the house and strayed to the window, watching them.
Jessica eyed Darien curiously. "Wait a minute, how come my mom could see you?" she asked.
Darien kneeled down so he was eye to eye with her. "Well that's kind of what I need to talk to you about, Jess," he said. He looked at her nervously. "Um…see I'm not really imaginary. I work for the government. I have this thing in my head that makes me turn invisible," he said.
Jessica looked confused. "Invisible?" she said.
Darien nodded. "Yeah, ah, it's this gland in my head that secretes this stuff called quicksilver, which can make me go invisible…" he said, trailing off at her perplexed expression. "Okay, that's not important. See, I was assigned to protect you when that monster was trying to hurt you. I kind of told a fib. My name isn't Ralph, it's Darien. I told you I was your imaginary friend Ralph so I could get close to you," he said sadly. "I was playing pretend. I am so sorry Jessica, I know how much Ralph meant to you."
Jessica's lower lip started to tremble. Darien noticed and shook his head. "Oh no, sweetheart, don't cry. Look, here's the thing. Back then, you were my only friend," he said as he pulled out the golden key necklace she had given him. "Remember this?" he said.
Jessica nodded slowly.
"I keep this with me always. It was the best present I ever got. And whether I was Ralph or Darien, you were my friend, you really were, Jess," he said with puppy dog eyes.
A little smile appeared on Jessica's face.
Darien noticed and proceeded nervously. "Look, Jessica, the reason I came here, is because, well, I'm getting married."
"Married?" replied Jessica.
"Yeah," he said. "And I want all my closest friends there, so how could you not be a part of it? But friends don't lie to one another, Jess. I wanted to come here to tell you the truth and try to make you understand why I lied to you," he said as he ran a finger down her nose.
Jessica giggled slightly.
Darien continued. "So anyway, I'm getting married and I was thinking about the prettiest little girl I know. See, I need the prettiest girl in the world to be my flower girl. And I was kind of thinking that you match that description to a T," he said, hope shining in his eyes.
Jessica stared up at him with a gleam of pure innocence and joy. "Really?" she asked.
"You bet, darling," he said. He gave her a hopeful smile. "Still friends?"
Jessica looked up at him and smiled. "Yeah. But you have to pinky swear that you will never lie to me again. Friends don't lie to friends after all," she replied knowingly.
Darien held out his pinky. Jessica held out her own pinky and the two locked fingers. "I swear I will never lie to you again, Jessica," he said. "So, what do you say? Would you be my flower girl?" he asked.
Jessica nodded up and down with excitement. "Yes."
Darien pulled her into an embrace. "Thank you, Jessica," he said softly, as a few tears sparkled in his eyes.
She pulled away from the embrace and looked at him curiously. "So how does this gland thing work?" she asked.
Darien laughed and shook his head. "I'll explain it to you when your older, Jess. Sometimes I don't even understand it."
Present
"This needs to be tighter," said Armando as he pulled Darien's tie tightly across his neck, nearly choking him, knocking him out of his thoughts. "Okay, that's it, Mr. Fawkes," he said.
Darien looked at himself in the mirror of the dressing room, thinking of Jessica. He had explained things to her mother and she had reluctantly agreed to let Jessica be in the wedding. Darien was excited beyond words.
"Fawkes, get your skinny punk ass out here," he heard Hobbes yelling. Darien stepped out of the dressing room and walked out to his friends.
Bobby nodded in approval as he took in Darien's classy appearance. "Now that's what I call a tuxedo," he said.
The Official smiled. "You clean up nice, kid."
Darien looked at him in surprise. "Thanks sir."
The Official shook his head. "No, thank you. Thank you for making me a part of this," he said warmly.
Darien shrugged. "Yeah well, we only invited you so you would give Claire and I raises. We've been eyeing this house in Aspen for a couple of months now," he said sarcastically.
The Official leaned towards Darien and patted him on the back. "Don't count on it, son," he replied smugly.
"Gotcha," said Darien, nodding.
Across town at Tracey's Bridal Shop
"Just kill me now," said Claire as she put her head between her legs.
Alex sat next to her and patted her on the back. "There, there Claire. I don't think Fawkes wants you barfing all over him at the wedding," she said.
"Oh just shut up," said Claire. "Just because you can hold your liquor doesn't mean you have to be so bloody smug about it."
Alex smiled and looked toward the dressing rooms. "Gloria, you all right in there?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'll be right out," she called.
Alex looked down at her own bridesmaid's gown. It was a long and flowing dark blue gown with thin spaghetti straps. Alex had to give Claire props for her good taste.
"Okay, I'm ready. Fits like a glove," said Gloria as she walked out of the dressing room.
Claire looked up and smiled widely. "You look beautiful Gloria," she said. "I'm so glad that you accepted my invitation to be in the wedding."
"Well it's my pleasure," she said as she twirled in her dress. "Me and your maid of honor over there are going to take good care of our bride," she said.
Alex laughed "That's right," she said.
"Funny, I don't remember you two helping me last night when I ended up naked in the pool with Rico the stripper," said Claire with mock anger.
Alex nodded. "Yeah, you and Rico seemed to be pretty cozy there. I might have to tell Fawkes," she said teasingly.
Claire scoffed. "You wouldn't dare. Besides, Rico was a perfect gentleman."
"If you say so," said Alex mysteriously.
Claire looked at her with concern. "I didn't do anything…."she said, trailing off.
"I don't know, you two disappeared together for a little while," said Gloria with a large smile.
Claire shook her head violently. "No, no, no, I wouldn't, I couldn't. Could I?" she replied in a panic.
Alex laughed. "We're just kidding, Claire. Nothing happened. You went swimming and then passed out in the bed."
Claire gave Alex an evil look. "That's not a very nice thing for the maid of honor to do to the bride."
"You'll get over it," replied Alex. She picked up the garment bag containing the wedding dress and handed it to Claire. "Now go in there and make sure it fits."
Claire took the bag and disappeared into the dressing room. Alex and Gloria sat down in the chairs outside the rooms. Alex looked around at all the beautiful bridesmaids' dresses surrounding her. She had never thought she would be a formal part of Darien and Claire's wedding. She sat back and thought of the day when Claire and Darien had proved her wrong.
Two months earlier
"Ow, ow, ow," whimpered Darien as Alex dragged him towards the Keep.
"You're such a baby, Fawkes," said Alex with irritation.
"Hey, I think I might have broken my ankle here, missy," he said defensively.
"I'm telling you, you only twisted it," said Alex as she pulled Darien through the Keep door.
Claire looked up from her computer. "Hey guys, oh…" she said as she walked to them. "What happened?" she asked with concern as she guided Alex and Darien towards the counteragent chair.
"Fawkes, twisted his ankle," said Alex.
"No, no, it's broken, I'm telling you," he replied looking up at Claire helplessly. "Fix me," he said softly.
Claire smiled and rolled up his pant leg. She put a little pressure on a large bruise that was already starting to form on his ankle. "Ow, easy there, Keepie," said Darien.
Alex shook her head. "He's such a baby. He just wanted to come here so you would dote all over him," she said.
Darien looked up at Claire and smiled. "Well I can't argue there," he said.
Claire finished examining Darien's ankle. "You twisted it," she said.
"Hmmm," replied Alex smugly.
"Could have fooled me," said Darien.
Claire pulled an ice pack out of the refrigerator and put it on Darien's ankle. "We need to ice it and you need to stay off of it for awhile. You'll be fine," she said, brushing her hand through his hair. Darien leaned up towards her, wanting a kiss.
"Oh, this is just disgusting," said Alex.
Darien made a mocking face in her direction.
Claire slowly backed away from Darien and looked at Alex. "I'm actually glad you came by, Alex. There's something I want to talk to you about," she said.
"If this is about that dent in your SUV, I didn't do it," Alex replied quickly.
Claire shook her head. "Oh no, Hobbes already confessed to that," she said. "No, I was wondering well… if you would be my maid of honor?"
Alex looked from Claire to Darien with surprise. "You guys want me in your wedding?"
Darien nodded. "Yeah, you know I need someone to keep an eye on Claire here. Make sure no one steals her again," he replied only half-jokingly.
"Look Alex, I know we've had our differences, but you are one of the only girlfriends I really have. I mean I see you everyday, we gossip..." said Claire.
"You gossip?" interrupted Darien. "Is it about me?"
Claire looked at Darien slyly. "Wouldn't you like to know."
"Anyway, I already asked my friend Gloria if she would be a bridesmaid and that just leaves the position of maid of honor to be filled. So the slot's there if you want it," continued Claire.
A smile slowly crept onto Alex's face. "I would love to," she said softly. "Thanks you guys."
Darien and Claire both smiled. "Sure Lexi. You get to march down the aisle with Hobbesy. I'm sure he'll have a blast with that," said Darien.
Claire nodded. "Yeah, we'll get together sometime and discuss all the details. The wedding is going to be Labor Day weekend."
"Sounds perfect," said Alex. She looked at Darien and Claire awkwardly. "Well, I let you two be. Let you have a little make out time in the Keep.
"Now that sounds perfect," said Darien as he reached out and stroked Claire's hand. "Getting injured definitely has its perks."
Alex walked towards the door and turned around. "Thanks you two, really, this means a lot to me that you would want to include me," she said sincerely.
"Well, we want all of our friends in the wedding," said Claire with a smile.
Present
Alex came back to reality when Claire emerged from the dressing room, dressed in all white.
"Oh Claire, Fawkes won't be able to resist you," she said as she took in the simple dress. It was similar to the bridesmaid's gowns except it had tiny sparkles woven in throughout the skirt. It was absolutely gorgeous.
"If the wedding is half as beautiful as that dress, than I'd say you are going to have the perfect wedding, Claire," said Gloria.
Claire smiled and twirled in front of the mirror, picturing herself dancing in Darien's arms at their wedding reception.
TBC tomorrow