Thanks again, guys for all the nice reviews. I gotta tell you, I honestly didn't think I'd still be writing this story. I figured that I would have probably quit by now, but you guys have kept me motivated. So, here I go again…
As they reached the door, Hobbes quickly moved in and pulled it open for Monroe.
"Uh, thanks," she said, a little surprised by his measure of courtesy.
"You're welcome," he mumbled as he followed Alex into the establishment.
Alex surveyed the room and asked, "So, do any of these guys look familiar to you, Hobbes?"
Silence.
She turned around to see why Hobbes hadn't answered her and found Hobbes staring intently at the girl on the stage. "Uh, hello, earth to Agent Hobbes. Do you wanna catch these guys or just ogle these ladies all day?"
Not until Monroe playfully punched Hobbes in the arm did he finally break his gaze and look over at Monroe, "What? Did you say something?" he asked sincerely.
"Can you please pay attention? We are trying to find your partner, after all," she said a little angrily.
"Yes, of course, sorry," Hobbes said as he began to scan the room himself.
Hobbes eyes wandered along all the faces of the men sitting at the various tables until they stopped on one that was familiar to him. "That's him. That's the guy that I saw punch Darien."
Monroe followed his stare and saw whom Hobbes was talking about, "Oh man, you weren't kidding. He is a big fella, isn't he?"
"Yeah, so I think I better handle this." Hobbes stated quite firmly.
"Please, Bobby, we both know you're gonna need my help. So, let's just cooperate, 'cause the faster we get this guy, the faster we can find Darien."
After giving it a few seconds' thought Bobby said, "Fine, let's do this."
Monroe and Hobbes started to make their way towards the 'big fella' when he suddenly looked in their direction.
"Damn, do you think he recognizes you?" Monroe asked.
Immediately, the guy was up and making a break for it.
"Does that answer your question?" Hobbes half-stated and half-asked as he and Monroe started to run after him.
Claire glanced up at Darien, who was sitting in his chair, while she pretended to work by moving around some of her lab equipment, and Darien just smiled back at her.
She had finished the Beta-c mixture quite some time ago, and since then had been buying time to think by acting like she was still busy.
Darien was very much aware of this, but did nothing because, damn if he didn't just love to see her squirm.
Finally, Darien looked at his watch and decided that this had gone on long enough, "All right, keepie, play time is over."
"Pardon me?" Claire asked innocently.
Darien answered with, "Come on, Claire, we both know that you're done, and that you've been done for a while. So just load up a shot with the Beta-c 'cause it's time for your medicine."
A very worried expression spread over Claire's face, "Please, Darien, just think about it. You don't really want to do this."
"Oh yes I do." Darien said as he started walking towards her, "And Claire, I know you want this, too."
Claire stepped back and defensively brought her arms up, "No, Darien, I don't."
"Yes, you do. Ah, come on Claire, trust me, I'm gonna make you so happy. Now, will you please get the shot ready?" Darien asked sweetly.
Claire didn't budge.
"Fine," Darien said, "If you want something done, I guess you have to do it yourself." Then, he quickly opened up a wrapped syringe and filled it with Beta-c. He pushed the plunger in a little to make sure the liquid was coming out then looked back at Claire. "So, are we gonna do this the hard way or the easy way? Personally, I prefer the hard way, but that's just me."
When Claire remained still and silent, Darien continued with, "Fine, hard way it is. Come here, doc."
Darien rushed towards Claire, who took off running herself. She headed for the lab door, but Darien was too quick.
Before she was even halfway there, he had stopped her. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her near until she was pressed up against his body.
Claire let out a moan of fear, which only excited Darien even more.
Quickly, before she could fight back, Darien forced the needle into Claire's neck and emptied its contents.
Immediately, Claire's body went limp in Darien's arms, and he swiftly lifted her up before she slouched to the floor.
Darien, with Claire in his arms, made his way to the lab door with a giant smile on his face. "That's right my sleeping beauty, rest up 'cause you're gonna need it. I have a lot planned, and your participation is required…. for most of it," he whispered to a sleeping Claire, then he walked out the door quite content with his actions.
TBC
