DISCLAIMER: I don't own 'em though I wish I did. It's not perfect, I'm not great with spelling, and grammar hopefully it's not too bad. The title is from a song by five for fighting. After listening to it, it just seemed to fit. So with that said…
Sit back and enjoy, and R&R PLEASE!
SUPERMAN, It's not easy!
I can't stand to fly
I'm not that naive
I'm just out to find
The better part of me
I don't know how long I have been lying here. Time just seems to go on forever. It could be days, hours, or even minutes. I can't tell. I hear voices outside the door. Is someone coming? I just want to escape this place. He said he would hurt them and I didn't want them to die because of me. Now I only hope it's them out there and not him coming back for more.
As I lie here, I wonder if it all has been worth it. I want to go to sleep. If I do, will I wake up again? He's back again. I hear him; it sounds as though he's talking to someone on the phone. I can't let him know I'm awake. As soon as I do, it will just start all over again.
How did this happen I wonder as I lie hear dying? I just want it all to end now. He kicked me it hurts so much when he does that. I think my insides are on fire. The voices are saying something now. He yells at them to stay back or I die. Doesn't he know I'm going to die anyway?
There's blood everywhere, a pool of blood surrounds me. I think it's mine, I'm bleeding! This scares me. My body lies motionless on this cold floor. I can't move, I can't speak, I want to scream but I can't. I smell the blood around me and I want to vomit. I could never stand the smell of death. However, this is my own blood, my own death.
I heard him leave again. I finally got up the strength to move a little. My partner is passed out in the corner. Why did he do that? He fought the guy until his gun went off and the bullet hit him in the abdomen. He hasn't moved for a while now. I hate this. I hate what is happening to me, and everyone around me.
I have to move I have to get us out of here. I will myself up and go over to my partner. He's weak but he's alive. I can barely breathe but I have to keep going. I stagger to the door the voices are still there. I get to the door and try to open it. The controls have been smashed.
My partner he's starting to come around. I screamed for help.
"Hold on we're coming!" Claire said through the door.
I stood back as the door opened, Claire, Alex, The Official and Ebert's burst into the room.
"Are you two okay?" I couldn't answer them my body finally lost all of the adrenaline it was using and collapsed in Claire and Ebert's arms.
~~~***~~~
The van sped out of the parking lot,
"Anybody back there following us?"
"Yeah Hobbes and they don't look very happy either. AHH! They're shooting at us. Hobbes! Would ya hurry up and get us out of here NOW!" He screamed as gunfire came from a car trailing closely behind. A bullet hit the window on the passenger side of the van causing Fawkes to jump back in fear.
"Hobbes can you move this thing any faster?"
"Tell the official to put up for a new car and I can. Hey Fawkes, next time Alex gives us a tip on the whereabouts of those guys, be sure she comes along."
"Yeah whatever, but you're the one that said me and Fawksey do this one ALONE!"
"Well I was just sayin' she gives, she helps."
"Yeah, yeah, I know Hobbes now can we please get the CRAP OUT OF HERE!" He said frantically as he looked in the rearview mirror, hanging onto the door handle and ducking with every passing bullet.
"I'm tryin' Fawkes, now would ya just calm down."
"I would Hobbes but these guys are kinda shooting at me."
"Yeah I can see that, Alex is so dead, I mean it, she is just SO DEAD!!! She gives us a tip and says oh it'll be fine they probably didn't even think to have thermal glasses with them while in hiding and all but NO they had 'em all right. You hear me Fawkes?"
Darien was too busy trying to keep from being shot to hear his friend.
Just then, the back tire went out and Hobbes tried to slow the van, but instead it just skidded and turned over in traffic hitting two cars at a stop sign instead.
"Hobbes, what was that ?"
"I think they blew out the tire."
"I know that!"
"Then why'd you ask?"
"Oh never mind! He said frustrated. He checked himself for injuries and only found a few scrapes from the glass and a bruised elbow. He pulled himself out of the wreck that was the van and into the hollow end of a pistol."
"You two come with me!" The man pointed the gun in the direction of his car.
Fawkes and Hobbes got up and raised their hands as they slowly walked towards the silver gray sedan.
Mark Platt was sitting in the front seat with a gun pointed on the two of them.
"We have some very unfinished business Mr. Fawkes, Hobbes."
"There ain't any way we're telling you anything." Hobbes said in sheer anger.
"Well I think you will change your sweet little minds."
"Oh I don't think we will, you think we will Hobbes?"
"No I don't think we will Fawkes."
The tall thin looking man, Frank, took his gun and pistol-whipped Hobbes across the face.
"Ow!!!"
"Don't be smart with me or I will not think twice about killing you or your friend."
The gray sedan pulled up in front of the Agency.
Fawkes and Hobbes exited the van followed by Mark Platt and Frank.
They opened the trunk and pulled out a large black duffle bag that was filled with something large and bulky.
Frank swung it over his shoulder turned to the two agents pointing his gun at them he took Darien by the back of the neck and pushed him towards the building.
Upon entering two guards pulled their guns.
Platt said, " Put the guns down or these two agents here are dead."
"Do as they say guys." Hobbes said looking a bit annoyed.
" Show us to your keeper Mr. Fawkes," Platt said pushing them down the long hallway.
They arrived at the door to the keep and Fawkes took a key card from his right hip pocket. He looked back at the two men behind him pausing before inserting the key.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"OPEN IT MR FAWKES and make it QUICK!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah just give me a minute."
I'm more than a bird…I'm more than a plane
More than some pretty face beside a train
It's not easy to be me
Darien took the card slid it down the lock.
The door slid open Claire turned in surprise.
"Hi Darien I wasn't expecting…"
Mark and Frank walked in behind the two agents.
"Well I wasn't either really."
"What are you doing?" Claire asked.
"Well you're leaving and me and these two are staying."
"What?" She exclaimed.
"Do I need to repeat myself? Now go and tell your boss if anyone tries anything these two will be delivered to his official office dead."
"All right, alright I'm going but you really should…"
"Just go!" Platt said as he cocked the gun in a threatening manner at the back of Darien's head.
"Darien will you be alright?"
"Yeah, just go, get out of here, and Claire?"
"Yes Darien?"
"Tell the fish to do what he says."
Claire just nodded her head and ran out the door to find the official.
"Okay now I believe we have some unfinished business."
"Yeah…well I don't think I want to tell you what you want to know."
Platt took his gun and hit Darien on the back of his head with it.
"You will answer me if you know what's good for you and your partner here."
Hobbes was in the corner, Frank held him against the wall with a gun in his face.
"Don't listen to 'em Fawkes."
With that, Frank pistol-whipped him across the face. "You 'will' answer."
Bobby raised his hand to his now bruised face rubbing it soothingly. He licked the blood from his cut lip and relaxed against the wall.
Platt motioned Frank to the center of the room.
Frank grabbed the bag from his shoulder and laid it on the floor in front of Hobbes.
"OPEN IT!"
Bobby leaned down upon opening the bag he saw crowbars, chains, machine guns, handcuffs, and thermal glasses.
"What's all that for?" He asked as he stood pointing to the bag.
"For you!"
Darien stood with a look of shock on his face.
Platt noticed the look of dismay and began to speak.
"Well you didn't think I was going to beat you again did you? After last time I think I learned my lesson. I'll ask you a question and if you don't answer your partner here pays for your indiscretion."
"Don't do it Fawkes." Bobby said as Frank took him to the center of the room.
"I don't see any other choice. I'm sorry Bobby."
"Oh partner don't." Bobby was in anguish now. He couldn't let this happen because of him.
"Don't worry man it's gonna be okay." Darien looked at the bald man with a look that said he had an idea. The only thing was would it work?
~~***~~
Claire ran down the hall in search of Charlie Borden, he had to be in his office he just had to. She ran looking in every corner she could find. As she turned the next corner, she ran smack dab into Alex Monroe.
"Hey are you okay?" She asked. As she grabbed Claire by the arms and slowed her to a stop.
"Let me go I have to find the official NOW!!!"
"Take a deep breath and tell me what's wrong?"
"Okay, okay." She said. She knew Alex would not let her go until she told her anyway and she was wasting valuable time she would rather not.
"I was in the lab…" She tried to slow down and catch her breath.
"Yeah what happened in the lab? Did Darien go nuts again?"
Claire stood there shaking her head trying to release from Alex's grip and at the same time still trying to compose herself.
After about what seemed like minutes but was actually only seconds she finally was able to get herself calmed down enough to tell Alex what was happening.
"Darien and Bobby they came to the lab and two men came in with guns. They said if we try anything Darien's dead."
"They always say that. It sounds to me like they need him for something so they aren't going to go killing him just yet. Did you recognize them?"
"Only one of them it was that guy that beat up Darien pretty good a few months back remember?"
"Which one?"
"The case when we took a trip to Utah trying to get information they had about the gland."
"Oh you mean that Morrison-Platt case."
"Yes, well it's Platt. I think his name was Mark…Andrew maybe Matthew, I can't remember."
"Well I do. I had to do a case file when they broke out of prison. We've been looking for the two of them ever since. It was Mark H. Platt and Andrew J. Morrison I sent Hobbes and Darien on a tip I got on their whereabouts. They were only supposed to go in and see if the tip was good and send for backup."
"Yeah well whatever his name is your plan worked great. Only now we need to get Bobby and Darien out of there."
"Come on I have an idea." Alex grabbed Claire and ran down the hall.
~~***~~
The Official sat in his office going over the latest numbers. He was disgusted when Alex and Claire burst through the door.
"I'm sorry sir they insisted."
"It's alright Ebert's I was only trying to balance our bank account."
"Sir," Alex said, " We have a little problem."
"What kind of problem Miss Monroe?"
"The kind that involves Fawkes and Hobbes."
"What did they do now?"
"It's not exactly what 'they' did its well… they've gotten themselves into a bit of a jam."
"YOU CALL THAT A JAM?!" Claire yelled.
"Claire calm down and tell me what's going on and how does this involve our two best agents?"
"Well sir, Mark Platt and one of his men have taken them hostage in the keep and he says if we try anything Darien's dead."
"We can't have that. Miss Monroe any ideas?" The Official asked.
"Yes actually, call down there and see if they have any demands."
The Official picked up the phone and pushed the quick dial extension to the keep.
Ring…
Ring…
Ring…
"They aren't picking up." He said
"Well then lets get down there and try to take them." Alex said.
"Ebert's cancel all of my appointments and meet me downstairs in ten minutes."
"Yes sir, right away sir."
Ebert's left the room as everyone headed to the lab.
~~***~~
Frank walked across the room to the phone it had stopped ringing. He picked up the receiver and laid it on the desk.
Platt was pointing his gun at Hobbes. They had just finished a rough beating and were ready to start shooting if they didn't get what they wanted.
"Mr. Fawkes for the millionth time would you please tell me where those files are?"
"Really man. I told you I don't know what the Frick your talking about."
Platt pulled the trigger on his gun and a loud crack rang out through the building.
Bobby fell to the floor as the bullet pierced the flesh of his upper thigh causing him to cry out in pain.
~~***~~
"What was that?" Claire asked.
"It sounded like a gunshot," Alex answered,
"We better run if we want to get to them in time."
They arrived at the keep and the Official used his key card with no results. All it produced was more gunfire from inside the keep.
"Get away from the door!" Platt yelled, " If you don't want to see your friends in here dead I would do exactly what I say."
Bobby was weak and exhausted he looked to Darien he knew something needed to be done but he was helpless. Anything that could be done to get out of there was up to his partner now.
Platt went over to talk privately with Frank.
"We need to find out what they're up too out there." Platt said to Frank.
"Frank go out there and keep them in check if anyone tries anything let me know."
"Yes sir." Frank went out the door gun ready pushing the small crowd out of the way.
Darien saw his chance; Platt was occupied and wasn't paying attention to him.
He quicksilvered and took the thermal glasses from the table quicksilvering them he moved them out of the way so Platt couldn't find them. If he didn't have 'them', he couldn't see 'him'.
The door to the keep shut. Platt turned around and Darien was gone. He looked for the thermal glasses but they were gone, too.
Looking confused and slowly moving around the room, he felt the air for the invisible hostage.
"I know you're here. If you don't show yourself, believe me Mr. Fawkes I will open fire on Mr. Hobbes here."
"Fawkes don't listen to him." Bobby said weakly.
"Oh don't worry Hobbes, I think Mr. Platt will put his gun down or he will be the one worrying about if he lives or dies."
"You tell him partner."
Platt felt a cold chill brush by him, he reached out blindly making contact, he grabbed Darien. Darien grabbed Platt's gun, they struggled and the gun went off.
Bobby looked on in dismay.
Was his partner okay or was it Platt the bullet hit?
His answer came in a sickening revelation as quicksilver droplets appeared on the floor. As the quicksilver flaked off, he could see small droplets of blood on the floor below the two men.
Darien grabbed at his stomach. His face turned pale as he fell to the floor.
"NO, FAWKES NO!" Hobbes yelled,
"I'm gonna get you for this Platt!"
"I don't think so." He said as he picked up a crowbar and beat Darien in the ribs until he was unconscious.
He then walked over to Hobbes doing the same. Bobby was soon passed out from the beating and loss of blood.
~~***~~
Everyone backed away as Frank exited the keep.
"No one moves or I make a call and your friends die."
"What do you want?" Claire asked.
"What do you mean? What do I want?"
"We mean, what are your demands?" The Official barked.
"Oh those. My boss is taking care of those right now."
Claire looked on with concern.
"Well, if you tell us your demands then maybe just maybe we can help you get out of this mess your in." Alex said.
"I don't think so the boss knows what he's doing."
Just then, a gunshot rang out through the air. Frank jumped startled he turned. Just as he did so, Alex grabbed the end of his gun pulling it from his grip. She kicked him in the head sending him to the floor unconscious she turned the gun on him just in case.
"Way to go girl." Claire said patting Alex on the back.
"Just your basic martial arts techniques. I'll have to teach you some time if you'd like."
"Yeah, that'd be great." Claire said.
Ebert's walked towards them. "Sir what happened?"
"Ebert's you might want to get some agents down here for back up." The Official said.
"Already done sir. They will be here momentarily."
Alex turned to the official and Claire, "What now?"
"We figure out a way to get in there," The Official said, "Claire do you think you can bypass the lock on this thing?"
"I can try."
"I need you to do more than try."
She walked through the small crowd and up to the lock; Ebert's went to help her.
"Isn't there a second door to this room?" Alex asked.
"Yes but it's probably jammed just like this one." Claire replied.
"You're probably right." Alex said and nodded for them to go ahead.
Claire turned back to the job at hand.
After a little over half an hour a scream for help came from inside.
"Hold on we're coming!" Claire said through the closed door.
The door slid open and Bobby fell into Claire and Ebert's arms, unconscious.
He was wounded and bleeding, but he was alive.
They tried to wake him with just a vague response.
A moan came from inside. Their hearts jumped and their heads came up as they heard the sound. As they looked inside the scene was horrific. There was blood everywhere. Darien was lying on the floor barely conscious battered and bleeding profusely.
Platt was gone. He had left through the other door moments before.
The Official and Ebert's carried Bobby inside and laid him on the lab table.
Claire and Alex ran over to help Fawkes who was still barely conscious on the floor.
"We need another bed in here. I don't want to have to move him too far."
"Will he be okay?" The 'fish' asked.
"Not unless I can get him stabilized right away even then I just don't know." She said concerned while shaking her head.
"Help Hobbes he's not doing too good." Fawkes said weakly.
"He's going to be just fine, and so are you, now just let me do my work."
"No!" He pushed her hands away.
"What? What is it?"
"Help Hobbes! It's all my fault I should've listened I shouldn't have gone in there without backup. He warned me but I just wouldn't listen."
Claire looked at him with concern and grabbed at Alex's arm. "Try to calm him Alex, he's delirious. I need you to keep him calm for me okay? We need to get Darien to surgery right away. First I have to get Bobby stabilized."
"Yeah okay, what should I do?"
"I don't know something, anything, just get him to calm down."
Alex looked at him not knowing what she should do. She shook her head in her hand.
Taking Darien's hand in hers and trying to soothe him she said, "No Fawkes, it's not your fault. It's my fault; none of this would have ever happened if I hadn't given you guys that tip. If I had only sent backup with you, if I would have even gone with you..." She sat there shaking her head.
Darien then shook 'his' head in frustration, "No Alex you…AAAHHH!!!" He screamed in pain as it was just too much. He fell unconscious.
Alex looked up at Claire in shock who was at the lab table dressing Bobby's leg and other wounds. She never thought she would even begin to care about these two men but she did. She was saved by them many times one way or another. However, she probably never would admit it. Now they were lying there helpless, possibly dying. She couldn't let this happen. It was all her fault, "All my fault." She whispered to herself again. Claire had heard her and the conversation she had, had with Darien just moments before.
When she was finished with Hobbes Claire took the gloves from her hands and walked over to where Alex and Darien were. She had a look of concern for this tough new agent. She placed her hand gingerly on Alex's back to comfort her and knelt down beside her.
"Alex you can't blame yourself, and they don't need us doing that to ourselves."
"I know it's just…" She trailed off as the tears began to fall uncontrollably. The scene had gotten to her more than she had expected.
"Come on now why don't you and Ebert's go get that gurney."
"Yeah okay."
"Miss Monroe get a hold of yourself. We need to find Platt." The Official barked.
Both Claire and Alex looked up to meet his gaze.
"But sir, I really need that gurney." Claire said.
"Ebert's can take care of that."
"Your right sir."
Alex agreed. Three rather well dressed agents entered the room; Alex rose from her position on the floor. She wiped the tears from her eyes, grabbed her gun from its holster and took off down the hall, with the three men in tow.
~~***~~
Claire did the best she could to stabilize the two men. She knew Bobby would be okay, but Darien, his wounds were just too severe. A bullet in the abdomen could hit one of so many different organs, and she knew that. As she prepped one of the labs for surgery, the tears flowed down her face. She had to make sure they both lived.
Several hours later Claire was met by The Official, and Ebert's outside surgery.
"How are they?" The Official asked.
"Bobby's fine a few broken ribs, a mild concussion and he won't be able to walk for a while because of his leg, but he'll be okay."
"What about Darien?" They asked in unison.
"Well… it's…hard to tell really. His wounds were much worse. I won't go into the particulars. We'll just have to wait and see if he comes through. The next forty-eight hours are the most critical; if he makes it through them he has a good chance."
The Official nodded to her in both relief and concern.
~~***~~
Alex searched the hallways cautiously with no results. She motioned to the other agents as they came upon an open file room.
They stood with guns ready as they stormed the small room. It looked as though someone had been hiding there. Blood from someone's shoes tracked the floor leading nowhere.
They searched the room finding a pair of bloodied shoes in the corner. They decided he was no longer there.
"Come on he must've took them off as a decoy."
Alex took her cell out and dialed The Official.
"Sir we found his shoes in the file room, I think he might have already left the building…Okay sir, I will. Sir, how's Fawkes and Hobbes? Alright I will bye."
Platt was relieved when they left. He had been hiding there for the past several hours while the agents searched the building.
As he climbed down from the small crawl space where he had been hiding, Platt looked around cautiously to make sure they were gone.
He slowly made his way to the exit hiding in every space he could find as agents walked by. He made it. As he exited the building, a sudden rush of fear and regret overcame him.
His boss was not going to be a bit happy.
He was leaving empty handed, he may have killed the only chance of a fortune they had, and he forgot to check through the files. But hey, he didn't know which box the file he needed was in. If only he had, had just a little more time. And if only Fawkes had just stayed put and not attacked him neither of them would be in the mess they were in right now.
He made it out to the street and hailed a cab. This was not going to be easy to explain, he thought as he stepped in the cab.
~~***~~
Claire was checking Bobby's vitals when he awoke alert but groggy.
"Claire?"
"Bobby you're awake."
'Yeah, ow!" He said as he tried to sit up his ribs protested.
"That'll teach you. Now just lie back and let your wounds heal."
She turned to look at his chart; walking away Bobby reached out grabbing her by the arm.
He said, "Claire wait."
"What is it?" She asked concerned.
"How's Fawkes? Last thing I remember was…" He paused trying to bring up a memory.
Recognition hit him hard. "Damn! OWW!"
"Don't hurt yourself."
"No, Claire is Fawkes…is he…"
"Oh, Oh no. He's alive so far."
"What d' ya mean so far?"
Putting the chart down on the table; she sat down next to him gently caressing his arm she looked into his eyes.
"Bobby I need you to listen to me."
"Wha…what Claire, c'mon what?"
"Bobby, Darien he…" She struggled for the words, "He was shot in the abdomen. There was quite a lot of damage, we repaired what we could. However… he also had several broken ribs. He had trouble breathing so we had to intubate and put him on a ventilator to help him to breathe."
"So he's…he's …alive then?"
"Yes Bobby, he's alive, but right now I don't know what kind of a recovery we're looking at,"
"The best I can tell is if he makes it through the next 24 hours he's got a very good chance." Just then the phone rang.
"Hello yes this is The Keeper. Oh, Oh no." Her hand flew to her mouth in concern. " Put him on IV antibiotics and I'll be right there."
"Claire, Claire what's wrong?"
"Darien he's spiked a fever. I'm sorry Bobby I have to go."
"Yeah, you just take care of him okay? And Claire?"
"Yes Bobby?" She quickly turned to meet his gaze.
"Tell him, tell him I'm…"
"He knows Bobby"
"You think?"
"Yes, in fact, I'm sure of it."
"Well then, let me know as soon as he wakes up okay?"
"I will I've got to go." With that she rushed out the door.
~~***~~
As he lay on the bed the world around him was barely recognizable. He heard the sound of footsteps rushing around the room. He even thought he recognized the sound of a voice. The touch of someone's hand on him was barely felt. A tear fell to his cheek and suddenly he sat straight up and got out of bed.
Where am I? He thought. He looked around the room.
He looked back at the bed. Claire was sitting next to it crying holding someone's hand.
"Who is that?" He said aloud, no one heard him. He walked closer, and stumbled back as he saw the man lying on the bed. "Am I…am…I…DEAD?" He wasn't expecting an answer, but he got one anyway.
"No, not yet" came a voice. The room filled with a bright light as he looked around the room. A man coming from seemingly nowhere walked into the room surrounded by the light.
"Who…wha…?" He stumbled again in shock.
Wish that I could cry
Fall upon my knees
Find a way to lie
About a home I'll never see
"It's okay Darien, it's Kevin."
"But your…your…"
"Dead? Yes that I am. Your choice hasn't been made yet but that's a decision only you can make.?"
"You mean I have a choice?"
"Yes."
"Then that's easy, I'm stayin'." Darien said without thought.
"No, Not so fast Darien, there's some things you need to know first that will help you make your decision."
"Like what Kev? I don't want to leave I want to stay."
"I know, but first you need to know the consequences of your decision."
"But before we do that, come with me." Kevin put his arm around his brother and they walked towards the door. With a flash of light, they were gone.
~~***~~
The Official walked in the room. Seeing Claire by Darien's bed he walked over. She was asleep her head lay in the crook of her arm on his bed. He walked over laying a hand on her shoulder, she startled awake.
"How long have you been standing there?" She asked a bit drowsy.
"I just got here, you need to get some rest Claire."
"I know, but I just can't leave at least not until I'm sure he's okay."
"How is he?"
" He spiked a fever a few hours ago. I think we have it under control. But I just…" She trailed off as the tears began to flow again.
Charlie took her in his arms. "I know Claire I know." He tried to comfort her.
She pulled away and wiped the tears from her face.
"I'm having a cot brought in you need to get some rest."
She nodded her head holding back the tears.
~~***~~
Bobby sat up in his bed looking around he saw no one was there. He winced at the pain emanating throughout his body as he sat on the edge of his bed. He grabbed at the chair in front of him. Pulling himself up he limped to straighten himself.
Ow! That hurts. He massaged his ribs and held his leg trying to compose himself.
He got up the courage. Limping across the room swearing at every movement, he made it to a pair of crutches by the door.
Man Claire you are SO gonna pay for puttin' those things there. He thought to himself.
Okay now partner it's time I paid 'you' a little visit.
He opened the door to the lab down the hall.
Inside Claire was laying on a cot asleep.
Darien was still unconscious a machine helping him to breathe and all sorts of tubes and machines sticking out from him.
He limped over sinking down in relief in the chair next to his partner he let out a loud sigh.
Claire turned in her sleep not waking.
Bobby put a hand on his partners forearm and whispered to him.
"C'mon man you've got to fight you can't be worryin' Claire like this. You got me kinda worried too pal. So c'mon you gotta wake up pretty soon.
We need ya." Bobby put his head in his hand and closed his eyes fighting the tears.
Someone's hand on his shoulder startled him.
"Oh Claire what'd ya go scarin' me like that for huh?"
"I'm sorry but you should be in bed."
"I know but…"
She pulled up a chair next to him tears welling up in her eyes.
"He's going to be just fine Bobby."
"How do you know that? You don't know that."
"I know because he's got us. And we're too stubborn to let him just go like that."
Bobby and Claire sat crying and talking to and of their partner and friend over the next hour.
Claire tried to get bobby to go back to his room with no avail. She finally just relented and had a bed brought in.
~~***~~
Mark Platt exited the cab at the entrance of the estate. This was on a lovely isolated hillside overlooking the city.
He walked cautiously to the door of the mansion being stopped by armed guards.
"Good evening Mr. Platt, here to see the master I assume?"
"Yes. Would you please tell him I'm here."
"Yes sir but…"
"Hey 'Arnold'" He said sarcastically referring to the mans size and stature.
"I'm cold, I'm tired, and I haven't eaten in two days. So get your 'master' and leave me be alright."
"Yes right away sir."
The guard ran to the mansion shortly after a call came to the guardhouse to let him pass.
"Ah! My dear Mark, how have you been?"
"Don't give me that crap! You know why I'm here. Now why don't we just cut to the chase huh?"
"If that's what you would prefer."
"It is.'
"Well then." The man gestured for him to come in and take a seat.
"I'd rather stand if you don't mind."
"Yes of course, can I get you anything to drink?"
"Ginger ale if you have it."
"Yes."
The man handed him the drink, pored himself one, and sat crossing his legs with his drink slightly lifted in the air.
"Well Mark are you going to just stand there, or?"
"Oh yeah, yeah." He was brought out of his trance. Taking a sip of the ginger ale, he walked to the center of the room pacing trying to think of an easy way to put it.
"Mark would you please stop you're making me nauseous."
"Sir it's our mutual friend you sent me to…detain."
"What about him? Did you retrieve the information?"
"Well sir, I had him and his friend, and, um, he sort of jumped me when I was distracted."
"DISTRACTED!"
" I told you do not get distracted. The minute you do," He paused, "You have a look."
"What look?"
"The kind people get when they're keeping something from me. Now what is it and do not tell me nothing. I know it's something or you would not be sweating as if you just ran a marathon."
"Sir, uh…"
He walked over to Mark and put his arm around him.
"You know I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize our relationship."
"Yes sir, I know." Mark said nodding his head quickly and nervously.
"Alright then what is it?"
"Mr. Fawkes he… he..."
"Yes?"
"He grabbed my gun it went off. Mr. Fawkes…uh... he might be dead."
"Oh I doubt that he's too stubborn.
Besides that he wants me dead too badly for that."
Mark sighed in relief.
"I must say though I am rather disappointed in you. I thought you were smarter than that."
He pulled out a gun and fired. Mark fell to the floor dead.
"Really must I do everything myself?"
"THOMAS!" He yelled. A rather large looking man scurried into the room.
"Yes sir?"
"Would you please clean up this mess?"
"Yes sir right away." He said as he looked on at the body of Mark Platt with a bullet through the skull.
~~***~~
Kevin and Darien entered a room that looked shockingly like the padded room at the agency except for a table and chairs in the center of the room.
"Hey Kev, where are we?"
"We're somewhere we can talk and I can help you make some choices."
They sat down at the table in the center of the room.
"I missed you Darien, and you know as much as you may hate what I did to you.
I want you to see something."
He turned his focus to the far wall as a scene opened up to his view.
Scenes of the friendships he had made and the lives he had saved because of the gland opened to Darien's view.
As the scene closed, Kevin turned to his brother.
"You see brother your life hasn't been for nothing. These people have more because of you and in turn, you have more because of them and the gland."
"But Kev don't you get it life was…"
Before he could finish another scene opened up. In it was all the pain the gland caused. Included were those that had died, the alterations that had been made to the gland by Arnaud, and the people that were hurt because of the evil in the gland. As the scenes spread before him, it was as though he was part of them. He felt the pain they felt. Even the pain he felt watching unable to do anything to stop what was happening. He watched painfully frozen.
The scene again closed.
"Okay Kev what was that?"
"It's your life Darien things you need to know to make an appropriate decision."
"Whatever Kev, but like I said I'm still stayin'. And if anything that was as good a reason as any not to go back."
"We'll see brother, we'll see."
Then it was as though a door opened they were in a beautiful open field: a woman was sitting by a stream.
"Who's that?"
"Why don't you go see." Kevin responded with a smile.
Darien walked toward her with an overwhelming feeling that he knew her. She turned to meet his gaze.
"Darien?"
"Mom?" He said stunned.
She jumped up from the bench and threw her arms around him crying with joy.
"Kevin why didn't you tell me your brother was coming?"
"He hasn't made his decision yet." She looked at him as if she knew what the decision had to be.
"Oh well, you're here now, why don't we talk for a while before you have to go."
"But I'm not going anywhere." Darien said again.
"Don't worry I know you'll make the right decision." His mother told him.
He pulled away from her embrace still holding her hands he looked at her with a look of confusion.
"Hey wait a minute where's Dad?"
Kevin pulled him away before she could say anything.
"That's something you'll know in time, but not now."
Kevin and Darien sat on a bench next to the river with their mother.
They sat there for what seemed like hours, but in actuality was probably more like a very few minutes.
Kevin rose from the bench and grabbed Darien's arm.
"Hey what's your problem Kev?"
"I know you would like to stay but we have more pressing matters to attend to right now."
Darien stood to face his brother pulling himself from his grasp.
"There are some things I have to show you." Kevin said.
" Wait a minute I want to stay with…MOM!" As quick as Kevin had said it and as Darien was in mid sentence they were back in the white room.
"Why are we back here?"
"Like I said there's something I have to show you."
"What could you possibly show me that I don't already know that would change my mind?"
"I know I made a mess of my life. That's over now. So why don't you just let me stay and get on with this life huh Kev?"
"It's not about the past Darien. And I have to do this I'm sorry Darien, I'm really truly sorry."
As soon as he said it a scene opened up before them.
Arnaud came through the doors at the agency with a dozen armed men shooting everyone in his path.
He went to The Official tied him up and beat him until he was almost dead.
Then there was a funeral. Bobby, Claire, The Official paralyzed and in a wheelchair, and Ebert's were all there. Arnaud came to the cemetery with his men. Taking everyone hostage until they gave him the gland files.
Then he continued his rampage across the country with invisible agents.
The agency was shut down, Claire had been forced to become one of Arnaud's many wives, and a few days later she took her own life. And Bobby he was kept prisoner at Arnaud's to be used as a pawn in his little game.
"Kevin I can't stop this. How can you expect me to stop this?"
"Darien you were always smarter than me."
"How can you say that Kev? I got you killed."
"No Darien, I got me killed and I almost got you killed."
"No Kevin you saved my life."
"No Darien, I was stupid and wouldn't listen to you, my own brother and I believed a man I barely knew over you.
You were right and I was wrong. I've always thought I knew best and I never listened. That was my biggest fault. I never trusted the ones I loved as much as I should have. Don't make the same mistakes I did. Don't think everything is going to be fine because they don't need you. Like I said without you…"
Darien just sat there shaking his head. "But what do you expect me to do? How, how can I prevent this?"
"I don't know, but I do know that without you all of THIS, this 'will' happen. You just have to find a way."
"I love you Kev, but I care about them, too. I can't…I just can't…" Tears began to well up in his eyes. "I have to go back then don't I?" He said tearfully
As Darien looked up Kevin just nodded. "I'm sorry brother."
"I'm not saying it won't be difficult." They then appeared back in the hospital room with their mother at Kevin's side. "Your body's been through a lot and it's going to be a hard, tough fight but you'll make it." He pointed to The Official, Claire, Ebert's and Bobby. "And with your help they'll make it. And Darien, Charlie he's your…" He trailed off as their mother chimed in. "Not now son, in time just as your father, in time."
Darien looked at them confused.
She turned to Darien, " It's time to go now."
As they became distorted from his view, he felt himself drawn back to his body.
"It wasn't your fault Kev."
His mother looked at his brother with loving eyes. Then everything became distant.
Before they were completely gone he heard them say,
"We'll always be here when you need us Darien we love you!"
" I love you too!" He said and they were gone.
~~***~~
Arnaud called his men to a meeting.
"We are going after the files in four days. We must be prepared we will not go away empty handed.
You all know the penalty for failure. Therefore, I advise we not fail.
There will however be a reward for success my friends.
To success!"
He raised his gun firing into the air cheering the men on they cheered.
"SUCCESS!"
"SUCCESS!"
"SUCCESS!"
~~***~~
Sit back and enjoy, and R&R PLEASE!
SUPERMAN, It's not easy!
I can't stand to fly
I'm not that naive
I'm just out to find
The better part of me
I don't know how long I have been lying here. Time just seems to go on forever. It could be days, hours, or even minutes. I can't tell. I hear voices outside the door. Is someone coming? I just want to escape this place. He said he would hurt them and I didn't want them to die because of me. Now I only hope it's them out there and not him coming back for more.
As I lie here, I wonder if it all has been worth it. I want to go to sleep. If I do, will I wake up again? He's back again. I hear him; it sounds as though he's talking to someone on the phone. I can't let him know I'm awake. As soon as I do, it will just start all over again.
How did this happen I wonder as I lie hear dying? I just want it all to end now. He kicked me it hurts so much when he does that. I think my insides are on fire. The voices are saying something now. He yells at them to stay back or I die. Doesn't he know I'm going to die anyway?
There's blood everywhere, a pool of blood surrounds me. I think it's mine, I'm bleeding! This scares me. My body lies motionless on this cold floor. I can't move, I can't speak, I want to scream but I can't. I smell the blood around me and I want to vomit. I could never stand the smell of death. However, this is my own blood, my own death.
I heard him leave again. I finally got up the strength to move a little. My partner is passed out in the corner. Why did he do that? He fought the guy until his gun went off and the bullet hit him in the abdomen. He hasn't moved for a while now. I hate this. I hate what is happening to me, and everyone around me.
I have to move I have to get us out of here. I will myself up and go over to my partner. He's weak but he's alive. I can barely breathe but I have to keep going. I stagger to the door the voices are still there. I get to the door and try to open it. The controls have been smashed.
My partner he's starting to come around. I screamed for help.
"Hold on we're coming!" Claire said through the door.
I stood back as the door opened, Claire, Alex, The Official and Ebert's burst into the room.
"Are you two okay?" I couldn't answer them my body finally lost all of the adrenaline it was using and collapsed in Claire and Ebert's arms.
~~~***~~~
The van sped out of the parking lot,
"Anybody back there following us?"
"Yeah Hobbes and they don't look very happy either. AHH! They're shooting at us. Hobbes! Would ya hurry up and get us out of here NOW!" He screamed as gunfire came from a car trailing closely behind. A bullet hit the window on the passenger side of the van causing Fawkes to jump back in fear.
"Hobbes can you move this thing any faster?"
"Tell the official to put up for a new car and I can. Hey Fawkes, next time Alex gives us a tip on the whereabouts of those guys, be sure she comes along."
"Yeah whatever, but you're the one that said me and Fawksey do this one ALONE!"
"Well I was just sayin' she gives, she helps."
"Yeah, yeah, I know Hobbes now can we please get the CRAP OUT OF HERE!" He said frantically as he looked in the rearview mirror, hanging onto the door handle and ducking with every passing bullet.
"I'm tryin' Fawkes, now would ya just calm down."
"I would Hobbes but these guys are kinda shooting at me."
"Yeah I can see that, Alex is so dead, I mean it, she is just SO DEAD!!! She gives us a tip and says oh it'll be fine they probably didn't even think to have thermal glasses with them while in hiding and all but NO they had 'em all right. You hear me Fawkes?"
Darien was too busy trying to keep from being shot to hear his friend.
Just then, the back tire went out and Hobbes tried to slow the van, but instead it just skidded and turned over in traffic hitting two cars at a stop sign instead.
"Hobbes, what was that ?"
"I think they blew out the tire."
"I know that!"
"Then why'd you ask?"
"Oh never mind! He said frustrated. He checked himself for injuries and only found a few scrapes from the glass and a bruised elbow. He pulled himself out of the wreck that was the van and into the hollow end of a pistol."
"You two come with me!" The man pointed the gun in the direction of his car.
Fawkes and Hobbes got up and raised their hands as they slowly walked towards the silver gray sedan.
Mark Platt was sitting in the front seat with a gun pointed on the two of them.
"We have some very unfinished business Mr. Fawkes, Hobbes."
"There ain't any way we're telling you anything." Hobbes said in sheer anger.
"Well I think you will change your sweet little minds."
"Oh I don't think we will, you think we will Hobbes?"
"No I don't think we will Fawkes."
The tall thin looking man, Frank, took his gun and pistol-whipped Hobbes across the face.
"Ow!!!"
"Don't be smart with me or I will not think twice about killing you or your friend."
The gray sedan pulled up in front of the Agency.
Fawkes and Hobbes exited the van followed by Mark Platt and Frank.
They opened the trunk and pulled out a large black duffle bag that was filled with something large and bulky.
Frank swung it over his shoulder turned to the two agents pointing his gun at them he took Darien by the back of the neck and pushed him towards the building.
Upon entering two guards pulled their guns.
Platt said, " Put the guns down or these two agents here are dead."
"Do as they say guys." Hobbes said looking a bit annoyed.
" Show us to your keeper Mr. Fawkes," Platt said pushing them down the long hallway.
They arrived at the door to the keep and Fawkes took a key card from his right hip pocket. He looked back at the two men behind him pausing before inserting the key.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"OPEN IT MR FAWKES and make it QUICK!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah just give me a minute."
I'm more than a bird…I'm more than a plane
More than some pretty face beside a train
It's not easy to be me
Darien took the card slid it down the lock.
The door slid open Claire turned in surprise.
"Hi Darien I wasn't expecting…"
Mark and Frank walked in behind the two agents.
"Well I wasn't either really."
"What are you doing?" Claire asked.
"Well you're leaving and me and these two are staying."
"What?" She exclaimed.
"Do I need to repeat myself? Now go and tell your boss if anyone tries anything these two will be delivered to his official office dead."
"All right, alright I'm going but you really should…"
"Just go!" Platt said as he cocked the gun in a threatening manner at the back of Darien's head.
"Darien will you be alright?"
"Yeah, just go, get out of here, and Claire?"
"Yes Darien?"
"Tell the fish to do what he says."
Claire just nodded her head and ran out the door to find the official.
"Okay now I believe we have some unfinished business."
"Yeah…well I don't think I want to tell you what you want to know."
Platt took his gun and hit Darien on the back of his head with it.
"You will answer me if you know what's good for you and your partner here."
Hobbes was in the corner, Frank held him against the wall with a gun in his face.
"Don't listen to 'em Fawkes."
With that, Frank pistol-whipped him across the face. "You 'will' answer."
Bobby raised his hand to his now bruised face rubbing it soothingly. He licked the blood from his cut lip and relaxed against the wall.
Platt motioned Frank to the center of the room.
Frank grabbed the bag from his shoulder and laid it on the floor in front of Hobbes.
"OPEN IT!"
Bobby leaned down upon opening the bag he saw crowbars, chains, machine guns, handcuffs, and thermal glasses.
"What's all that for?" He asked as he stood pointing to the bag.
"For you!"
Darien stood with a look of shock on his face.
Platt noticed the look of dismay and began to speak.
"Well you didn't think I was going to beat you again did you? After last time I think I learned my lesson. I'll ask you a question and if you don't answer your partner here pays for your indiscretion."
"Don't do it Fawkes." Bobby said as Frank took him to the center of the room.
"I don't see any other choice. I'm sorry Bobby."
"Oh partner don't." Bobby was in anguish now. He couldn't let this happen because of him.
"Don't worry man it's gonna be okay." Darien looked at the bald man with a look that said he had an idea. The only thing was would it work?
~~***~~
Claire ran down the hall in search of Charlie Borden, he had to be in his office he just had to. She ran looking in every corner she could find. As she turned the next corner, she ran smack dab into Alex Monroe.
"Hey are you okay?" She asked. As she grabbed Claire by the arms and slowed her to a stop.
"Let me go I have to find the official NOW!!!"
"Take a deep breath and tell me what's wrong?"
"Okay, okay." She said. She knew Alex would not let her go until she told her anyway and she was wasting valuable time she would rather not.
"I was in the lab…" She tried to slow down and catch her breath.
"Yeah what happened in the lab? Did Darien go nuts again?"
Claire stood there shaking her head trying to release from Alex's grip and at the same time still trying to compose herself.
After about what seemed like minutes but was actually only seconds she finally was able to get herself calmed down enough to tell Alex what was happening.
"Darien and Bobby they came to the lab and two men came in with guns. They said if we try anything Darien's dead."
"They always say that. It sounds to me like they need him for something so they aren't going to go killing him just yet. Did you recognize them?"
"Only one of them it was that guy that beat up Darien pretty good a few months back remember?"
"Which one?"
"The case when we took a trip to Utah trying to get information they had about the gland."
"Oh you mean that Morrison-Platt case."
"Yes, well it's Platt. I think his name was Mark…Andrew maybe Matthew, I can't remember."
"Well I do. I had to do a case file when they broke out of prison. We've been looking for the two of them ever since. It was Mark H. Platt and Andrew J. Morrison I sent Hobbes and Darien on a tip I got on their whereabouts. They were only supposed to go in and see if the tip was good and send for backup."
"Yeah well whatever his name is your plan worked great. Only now we need to get Bobby and Darien out of there."
"Come on I have an idea." Alex grabbed Claire and ran down the hall.
~~***~~
The Official sat in his office going over the latest numbers. He was disgusted when Alex and Claire burst through the door.
"I'm sorry sir they insisted."
"It's alright Ebert's I was only trying to balance our bank account."
"Sir," Alex said, " We have a little problem."
"What kind of problem Miss Monroe?"
"The kind that involves Fawkes and Hobbes."
"What did they do now?"
"It's not exactly what 'they' did its well… they've gotten themselves into a bit of a jam."
"YOU CALL THAT A JAM?!" Claire yelled.
"Claire calm down and tell me what's going on and how does this involve our two best agents?"
"Well sir, Mark Platt and one of his men have taken them hostage in the keep and he says if we try anything Darien's dead."
"We can't have that. Miss Monroe any ideas?" The Official asked.
"Yes actually, call down there and see if they have any demands."
The Official picked up the phone and pushed the quick dial extension to the keep.
Ring…
Ring…
Ring…
"They aren't picking up." He said
"Well then lets get down there and try to take them." Alex said.
"Ebert's cancel all of my appointments and meet me downstairs in ten minutes."
"Yes sir, right away sir."
Ebert's left the room as everyone headed to the lab.
~~***~~
Frank walked across the room to the phone it had stopped ringing. He picked up the receiver and laid it on the desk.
Platt was pointing his gun at Hobbes. They had just finished a rough beating and were ready to start shooting if they didn't get what they wanted.
"Mr. Fawkes for the millionth time would you please tell me where those files are?"
"Really man. I told you I don't know what the Frick your talking about."
Platt pulled the trigger on his gun and a loud crack rang out through the building.
Bobby fell to the floor as the bullet pierced the flesh of his upper thigh causing him to cry out in pain.
~~***~~
"What was that?" Claire asked.
"It sounded like a gunshot," Alex answered,
"We better run if we want to get to them in time."
They arrived at the keep and the Official used his key card with no results. All it produced was more gunfire from inside the keep.
"Get away from the door!" Platt yelled, " If you don't want to see your friends in here dead I would do exactly what I say."
Bobby was weak and exhausted he looked to Darien he knew something needed to be done but he was helpless. Anything that could be done to get out of there was up to his partner now.
Platt went over to talk privately with Frank.
"We need to find out what they're up too out there." Platt said to Frank.
"Frank go out there and keep them in check if anyone tries anything let me know."
"Yes sir." Frank went out the door gun ready pushing the small crowd out of the way.
Darien saw his chance; Platt was occupied and wasn't paying attention to him.
He quicksilvered and took the thermal glasses from the table quicksilvering them he moved them out of the way so Platt couldn't find them. If he didn't have 'them', he couldn't see 'him'.
The door to the keep shut. Platt turned around and Darien was gone. He looked for the thermal glasses but they were gone, too.
Looking confused and slowly moving around the room, he felt the air for the invisible hostage.
"I know you're here. If you don't show yourself, believe me Mr. Fawkes I will open fire on Mr. Hobbes here."
"Fawkes don't listen to him." Bobby said weakly.
"Oh don't worry Hobbes, I think Mr. Platt will put his gun down or he will be the one worrying about if he lives or dies."
"You tell him partner."
Platt felt a cold chill brush by him, he reached out blindly making contact, he grabbed Darien. Darien grabbed Platt's gun, they struggled and the gun went off.
Bobby looked on in dismay.
Was his partner okay or was it Platt the bullet hit?
His answer came in a sickening revelation as quicksilver droplets appeared on the floor. As the quicksilver flaked off, he could see small droplets of blood on the floor below the two men.
Darien grabbed at his stomach. His face turned pale as he fell to the floor.
"NO, FAWKES NO!" Hobbes yelled,
"I'm gonna get you for this Platt!"
"I don't think so." He said as he picked up a crowbar and beat Darien in the ribs until he was unconscious.
He then walked over to Hobbes doing the same. Bobby was soon passed out from the beating and loss of blood.
~~***~~
Everyone backed away as Frank exited the keep.
"No one moves or I make a call and your friends die."
"What do you want?" Claire asked.
"What do you mean? What do I want?"
"We mean, what are your demands?" The Official barked.
"Oh those. My boss is taking care of those right now."
Claire looked on with concern.
"Well, if you tell us your demands then maybe just maybe we can help you get out of this mess your in." Alex said.
"I don't think so the boss knows what he's doing."
Just then, a gunshot rang out through the air. Frank jumped startled he turned. Just as he did so, Alex grabbed the end of his gun pulling it from his grip. She kicked him in the head sending him to the floor unconscious she turned the gun on him just in case.
"Way to go girl." Claire said patting Alex on the back.
"Just your basic martial arts techniques. I'll have to teach you some time if you'd like."
"Yeah, that'd be great." Claire said.
Ebert's walked towards them. "Sir what happened?"
"Ebert's you might want to get some agents down here for back up." The Official said.
"Already done sir. They will be here momentarily."
Alex turned to the official and Claire, "What now?"
"We figure out a way to get in there," The Official said, "Claire do you think you can bypass the lock on this thing?"
"I can try."
"I need you to do more than try."
She walked through the small crowd and up to the lock; Ebert's went to help her.
"Isn't there a second door to this room?" Alex asked.
"Yes but it's probably jammed just like this one." Claire replied.
"You're probably right." Alex said and nodded for them to go ahead.
Claire turned back to the job at hand.
After a little over half an hour a scream for help came from inside.
"Hold on we're coming!" Claire said through the closed door.
The door slid open and Bobby fell into Claire and Ebert's arms, unconscious.
He was wounded and bleeding, but he was alive.
They tried to wake him with just a vague response.
A moan came from inside. Their hearts jumped and their heads came up as they heard the sound. As they looked inside the scene was horrific. There was blood everywhere. Darien was lying on the floor barely conscious battered and bleeding profusely.
Platt was gone. He had left through the other door moments before.
The Official and Ebert's carried Bobby inside and laid him on the lab table.
Claire and Alex ran over to help Fawkes who was still barely conscious on the floor.
"We need another bed in here. I don't want to have to move him too far."
"Will he be okay?" The 'fish' asked.
"Not unless I can get him stabilized right away even then I just don't know." She said concerned while shaking her head.
"Help Hobbes he's not doing too good." Fawkes said weakly.
"He's going to be just fine, and so are you, now just let me do my work."
"No!" He pushed her hands away.
"What? What is it?"
"Help Hobbes! It's all my fault I should've listened I shouldn't have gone in there without backup. He warned me but I just wouldn't listen."
Claire looked at him with concern and grabbed at Alex's arm. "Try to calm him Alex, he's delirious. I need you to keep him calm for me okay? We need to get Darien to surgery right away. First I have to get Bobby stabilized."
"Yeah okay, what should I do?"
"I don't know something, anything, just get him to calm down."
Alex looked at him not knowing what she should do. She shook her head in her hand.
Taking Darien's hand in hers and trying to soothe him she said, "No Fawkes, it's not your fault. It's my fault; none of this would have ever happened if I hadn't given you guys that tip. If I had only sent backup with you, if I would have even gone with you..." She sat there shaking her head.
Darien then shook 'his' head in frustration, "No Alex you…AAAHHH!!!" He screamed in pain as it was just too much. He fell unconscious.
Alex looked up at Claire in shock who was at the lab table dressing Bobby's leg and other wounds. She never thought she would even begin to care about these two men but she did. She was saved by them many times one way or another. However, she probably never would admit it. Now they were lying there helpless, possibly dying. She couldn't let this happen. It was all her fault, "All my fault." She whispered to herself again. Claire had heard her and the conversation she had, had with Darien just moments before.
When she was finished with Hobbes Claire took the gloves from her hands and walked over to where Alex and Darien were. She had a look of concern for this tough new agent. She placed her hand gingerly on Alex's back to comfort her and knelt down beside her.
"Alex you can't blame yourself, and they don't need us doing that to ourselves."
"I know it's just…" She trailed off as the tears began to fall uncontrollably. The scene had gotten to her more than she had expected.
"Come on now why don't you and Ebert's go get that gurney."
"Yeah okay."
"Miss Monroe get a hold of yourself. We need to find Platt." The Official barked.
Both Claire and Alex looked up to meet his gaze.
"But sir, I really need that gurney." Claire said.
"Ebert's can take care of that."
"Your right sir."
Alex agreed. Three rather well dressed agents entered the room; Alex rose from her position on the floor. She wiped the tears from her eyes, grabbed her gun from its holster and took off down the hall, with the three men in tow.
~~***~~
Claire did the best she could to stabilize the two men. She knew Bobby would be okay, but Darien, his wounds were just too severe. A bullet in the abdomen could hit one of so many different organs, and she knew that. As she prepped one of the labs for surgery, the tears flowed down her face. She had to make sure they both lived.
Several hours later Claire was met by The Official, and Ebert's outside surgery.
"How are they?" The Official asked.
"Bobby's fine a few broken ribs, a mild concussion and he won't be able to walk for a while because of his leg, but he'll be okay."
"What about Darien?" They asked in unison.
"Well… it's…hard to tell really. His wounds were much worse. I won't go into the particulars. We'll just have to wait and see if he comes through. The next forty-eight hours are the most critical; if he makes it through them he has a good chance."
The Official nodded to her in both relief and concern.
~~***~~
Alex searched the hallways cautiously with no results. She motioned to the other agents as they came upon an open file room.
They stood with guns ready as they stormed the small room. It looked as though someone had been hiding there. Blood from someone's shoes tracked the floor leading nowhere.
They searched the room finding a pair of bloodied shoes in the corner. They decided he was no longer there.
"Come on he must've took them off as a decoy."
Alex took her cell out and dialed The Official.
"Sir we found his shoes in the file room, I think he might have already left the building…Okay sir, I will. Sir, how's Fawkes and Hobbes? Alright I will bye."
Platt was relieved when they left. He had been hiding there for the past several hours while the agents searched the building.
As he climbed down from the small crawl space where he had been hiding, Platt looked around cautiously to make sure they were gone.
He slowly made his way to the exit hiding in every space he could find as agents walked by. He made it. As he exited the building, a sudden rush of fear and regret overcame him.
His boss was not going to be a bit happy.
He was leaving empty handed, he may have killed the only chance of a fortune they had, and he forgot to check through the files. But hey, he didn't know which box the file he needed was in. If only he had, had just a little more time. And if only Fawkes had just stayed put and not attacked him neither of them would be in the mess they were in right now.
He made it out to the street and hailed a cab. This was not going to be easy to explain, he thought as he stepped in the cab.
~~***~~
Claire was checking Bobby's vitals when he awoke alert but groggy.
"Claire?"
"Bobby you're awake."
'Yeah, ow!" He said as he tried to sit up his ribs protested.
"That'll teach you. Now just lie back and let your wounds heal."
She turned to look at his chart; walking away Bobby reached out grabbing her by the arm.
He said, "Claire wait."
"What is it?" She asked concerned.
"How's Fawkes? Last thing I remember was…" He paused trying to bring up a memory.
Recognition hit him hard. "Damn! OWW!"
"Don't hurt yourself."
"No, Claire is Fawkes…is he…"
"Oh, Oh no. He's alive so far."
"What d' ya mean so far?"
Putting the chart down on the table; she sat down next to him gently caressing his arm she looked into his eyes.
"Bobby I need you to listen to me."
"Wha…what Claire, c'mon what?"
"Bobby, Darien he…" She struggled for the words, "He was shot in the abdomen. There was quite a lot of damage, we repaired what we could. However… he also had several broken ribs. He had trouble breathing so we had to intubate and put him on a ventilator to help him to breathe."
"So he's…he's …alive then?"
"Yes Bobby, he's alive, but right now I don't know what kind of a recovery we're looking at,"
"The best I can tell is if he makes it through the next 24 hours he's got a very good chance." Just then the phone rang.
"Hello yes this is The Keeper. Oh, Oh no." Her hand flew to her mouth in concern. " Put him on IV antibiotics and I'll be right there."
"Claire, Claire what's wrong?"
"Darien he's spiked a fever. I'm sorry Bobby I have to go."
"Yeah, you just take care of him okay? And Claire?"
"Yes Bobby?" She quickly turned to meet his gaze.
"Tell him, tell him I'm…"
"He knows Bobby"
"You think?"
"Yes, in fact, I'm sure of it."
"Well then, let me know as soon as he wakes up okay?"
"I will I've got to go." With that she rushed out the door.
~~***~~
As he lay on the bed the world around him was barely recognizable. He heard the sound of footsteps rushing around the room. He even thought he recognized the sound of a voice. The touch of someone's hand on him was barely felt. A tear fell to his cheek and suddenly he sat straight up and got out of bed.
Where am I? He thought. He looked around the room.
He looked back at the bed. Claire was sitting next to it crying holding someone's hand.
"Who is that?" He said aloud, no one heard him. He walked closer, and stumbled back as he saw the man lying on the bed. "Am I…am…I…DEAD?" He wasn't expecting an answer, but he got one anyway.
"No, not yet" came a voice. The room filled with a bright light as he looked around the room. A man coming from seemingly nowhere walked into the room surrounded by the light.
"Who…wha…?" He stumbled again in shock.
Wish that I could cry
Fall upon my knees
Find a way to lie
About a home I'll never see
"It's okay Darien, it's Kevin."
"But your…your…"
"Dead? Yes that I am. Your choice hasn't been made yet but that's a decision only you can make.?"
"You mean I have a choice?"
"Yes."
"Then that's easy, I'm stayin'." Darien said without thought.
"No, Not so fast Darien, there's some things you need to know first that will help you make your decision."
"Like what Kev? I don't want to leave I want to stay."
"I know, but first you need to know the consequences of your decision."
"But before we do that, come with me." Kevin put his arm around his brother and they walked towards the door. With a flash of light, they were gone.
~~***~~
The Official walked in the room. Seeing Claire by Darien's bed he walked over. She was asleep her head lay in the crook of her arm on his bed. He walked over laying a hand on her shoulder, she startled awake.
"How long have you been standing there?" She asked a bit drowsy.
"I just got here, you need to get some rest Claire."
"I know, but I just can't leave at least not until I'm sure he's okay."
"How is he?"
" He spiked a fever a few hours ago. I think we have it under control. But I just…" She trailed off as the tears began to flow again.
Charlie took her in his arms. "I know Claire I know." He tried to comfort her.
She pulled away and wiped the tears from her face.
"I'm having a cot brought in you need to get some rest."
She nodded her head holding back the tears.
~~***~~
Bobby sat up in his bed looking around he saw no one was there. He winced at the pain emanating throughout his body as he sat on the edge of his bed. He grabbed at the chair in front of him. Pulling himself up he limped to straighten himself.
Ow! That hurts. He massaged his ribs and held his leg trying to compose himself.
He got up the courage. Limping across the room swearing at every movement, he made it to a pair of crutches by the door.
Man Claire you are SO gonna pay for puttin' those things there. He thought to himself.
Okay now partner it's time I paid 'you' a little visit.
He opened the door to the lab down the hall.
Inside Claire was laying on a cot asleep.
Darien was still unconscious a machine helping him to breathe and all sorts of tubes and machines sticking out from him.
He limped over sinking down in relief in the chair next to his partner he let out a loud sigh.
Claire turned in her sleep not waking.
Bobby put a hand on his partners forearm and whispered to him.
"C'mon man you've got to fight you can't be worryin' Claire like this. You got me kinda worried too pal. So c'mon you gotta wake up pretty soon.
We need ya." Bobby put his head in his hand and closed his eyes fighting the tears.
Someone's hand on his shoulder startled him.
"Oh Claire what'd ya go scarin' me like that for huh?"
"I'm sorry but you should be in bed."
"I know but…"
She pulled up a chair next to him tears welling up in her eyes.
"He's going to be just fine Bobby."
"How do you know that? You don't know that."
"I know because he's got us. And we're too stubborn to let him just go like that."
Bobby and Claire sat crying and talking to and of their partner and friend over the next hour.
Claire tried to get bobby to go back to his room with no avail. She finally just relented and had a bed brought in.
~~***~~
Mark Platt exited the cab at the entrance of the estate. This was on a lovely isolated hillside overlooking the city.
He walked cautiously to the door of the mansion being stopped by armed guards.
"Good evening Mr. Platt, here to see the master I assume?"
"Yes. Would you please tell him I'm here."
"Yes sir but…"
"Hey 'Arnold'" He said sarcastically referring to the mans size and stature.
"I'm cold, I'm tired, and I haven't eaten in two days. So get your 'master' and leave me be alright."
"Yes right away sir."
The guard ran to the mansion shortly after a call came to the guardhouse to let him pass.
"Ah! My dear Mark, how have you been?"
"Don't give me that crap! You know why I'm here. Now why don't we just cut to the chase huh?"
"If that's what you would prefer."
"It is.'
"Well then." The man gestured for him to come in and take a seat.
"I'd rather stand if you don't mind."
"Yes of course, can I get you anything to drink?"
"Ginger ale if you have it."
"Yes."
The man handed him the drink, pored himself one, and sat crossing his legs with his drink slightly lifted in the air.
"Well Mark are you going to just stand there, or?"
"Oh yeah, yeah." He was brought out of his trance. Taking a sip of the ginger ale, he walked to the center of the room pacing trying to think of an easy way to put it.
"Mark would you please stop you're making me nauseous."
"Sir it's our mutual friend you sent me to…detain."
"What about him? Did you retrieve the information?"
"Well sir, I had him and his friend, and, um, he sort of jumped me when I was distracted."
"DISTRACTED!"
" I told you do not get distracted. The minute you do," He paused, "You have a look."
"What look?"
"The kind people get when they're keeping something from me. Now what is it and do not tell me nothing. I know it's something or you would not be sweating as if you just ran a marathon."
"Sir, uh…"
He walked over to Mark and put his arm around him.
"You know I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize our relationship."
"Yes sir, I know." Mark said nodding his head quickly and nervously.
"Alright then what is it?"
"Mr. Fawkes he… he..."
"Yes?"
"He grabbed my gun it went off. Mr. Fawkes…uh... he might be dead."
"Oh I doubt that he's too stubborn.
Besides that he wants me dead too badly for that."
Mark sighed in relief.
"I must say though I am rather disappointed in you. I thought you were smarter than that."
He pulled out a gun and fired. Mark fell to the floor dead.
"Really must I do everything myself?"
"THOMAS!" He yelled. A rather large looking man scurried into the room.
"Yes sir?"
"Would you please clean up this mess?"
"Yes sir right away." He said as he looked on at the body of Mark Platt with a bullet through the skull.
~~***~~
Kevin and Darien entered a room that looked shockingly like the padded room at the agency except for a table and chairs in the center of the room.
"Hey Kev, where are we?"
"We're somewhere we can talk and I can help you make some choices."
They sat down at the table in the center of the room.
"I missed you Darien, and you know as much as you may hate what I did to you.
I want you to see something."
He turned his focus to the far wall as a scene opened up to his view.
Scenes of the friendships he had made and the lives he had saved because of the gland opened to Darien's view.
As the scene closed, Kevin turned to his brother.
"You see brother your life hasn't been for nothing. These people have more because of you and in turn, you have more because of them and the gland."
"But Kev don't you get it life was…"
Before he could finish another scene opened up. In it was all the pain the gland caused. Included were those that had died, the alterations that had been made to the gland by Arnaud, and the people that were hurt because of the evil in the gland. As the scenes spread before him, it was as though he was part of them. He felt the pain they felt. Even the pain he felt watching unable to do anything to stop what was happening. He watched painfully frozen.
The scene again closed.
"Okay Kev what was that?"
"It's your life Darien things you need to know to make an appropriate decision."
"Whatever Kev, but like I said I'm still stayin'. And if anything that was as good a reason as any not to go back."
"We'll see brother, we'll see."
Then it was as though a door opened they were in a beautiful open field: a woman was sitting by a stream.
"Who's that?"
"Why don't you go see." Kevin responded with a smile.
Darien walked toward her with an overwhelming feeling that he knew her. She turned to meet his gaze.
"Darien?"
"Mom?" He said stunned.
She jumped up from the bench and threw her arms around him crying with joy.
"Kevin why didn't you tell me your brother was coming?"
"He hasn't made his decision yet." She looked at him as if she knew what the decision had to be.
"Oh well, you're here now, why don't we talk for a while before you have to go."
"But I'm not going anywhere." Darien said again.
"Don't worry I know you'll make the right decision." His mother told him.
He pulled away from her embrace still holding her hands he looked at her with a look of confusion.
"Hey wait a minute where's Dad?"
Kevin pulled him away before she could say anything.
"That's something you'll know in time, but not now."
Kevin and Darien sat on a bench next to the river with their mother.
They sat there for what seemed like hours, but in actuality was probably more like a very few minutes.
Kevin rose from the bench and grabbed Darien's arm.
"Hey what's your problem Kev?"
"I know you would like to stay but we have more pressing matters to attend to right now."
Darien stood to face his brother pulling himself from his grasp.
"There are some things I have to show you." Kevin said.
" Wait a minute I want to stay with…MOM!" As quick as Kevin had said it and as Darien was in mid sentence they were back in the white room.
"Why are we back here?"
"Like I said there's something I have to show you."
"What could you possibly show me that I don't already know that would change my mind?"
"I know I made a mess of my life. That's over now. So why don't you just let me stay and get on with this life huh Kev?"
"It's not about the past Darien. And I have to do this I'm sorry Darien, I'm really truly sorry."
As soon as he said it a scene opened up before them.
Arnaud came through the doors at the agency with a dozen armed men shooting everyone in his path.
He went to The Official tied him up and beat him until he was almost dead.
Then there was a funeral. Bobby, Claire, The Official paralyzed and in a wheelchair, and Ebert's were all there. Arnaud came to the cemetery with his men. Taking everyone hostage until they gave him the gland files.
Then he continued his rampage across the country with invisible agents.
The agency was shut down, Claire had been forced to become one of Arnaud's many wives, and a few days later she took her own life. And Bobby he was kept prisoner at Arnaud's to be used as a pawn in his little game.
"Kevin I can't stop this. How can you expect me to stop this?"
"Darien you were always smarter than me."
"How can you say that Kev? I got you killed."
"No Darien, I got me killed and I almost got you killed."
"No Kevin you saved my life."
"No Darien, I was stupid and wouldn't listen to you, my own brother and I believed a man I barely knew over you.
You were right and I was wrong. I've always thought I knew best and I never listened. That was my biggest fault. I never trusted the ones I loved as much as I should have. Don't make the same mistakes I did. Don't think everything is going to be fine because they don't need you. Like I said without you…"
Darien just sat there shaking his head. "But what do you expect me to do? How, how can I prevent this?"
"I don't know, but I do know that without you all of THIS, this 'will' happen. You just have to find a way."
"I love you Kev, but I care about them, too. I can't…I just can't…" Tears began to well up in his eyes. "I have to go back then don't I?" He said tearfully
As Darien looked up Kevin just nodded. "I'm sorry brother."
"I'm not saying it won't be difficult." They then appeared back in the hospital room with their mother at Kevin's side. "Your body's been through a lot and it's going to be a hard, tough fight but you'll make it." He pointed to The Official, Claire, Ebert's and Bobby. "And with your help they'll make it. And Darien, Charlie he's your…" He trailed off as their mother chimed in. "Not now son, in time just as your father, in time."
Darien looked at them confused.
She turned to Darien, " It's time to go now."
As they became distorted from his view, he felt himself drawn back to his body.
"It wasn't your fault Kev."
His mother looked at his brother with loving eyes. Then everything became distant.
Before they were completely gone he heard them say,
"We'll always be here when you need us Darien we love you!"
" I love you too!" He said and they were gone.
~~***~~
Arnaud called his men to a meeting.
"We are going after the files in four days. We must be prepared we will not go away empty handed.
You all know the penalty for failure. Therefore, I advise we not fail.
There will however be a reward for success my friends.
To success!"
He raised his gun firing into the air cheering the men on they cheered.
"SUCCESS!"
"SUCCESS!"
"SUCCESS!"
~~***~~