Operation Invisible Justice
part five
by mardel
rated PG
Bobby sat through the debriefing. Explaining that Omar had attempted
to push Evans out the open door of the chopper. He had caused his
own death through his own actions.
The officers conducting the debriefing understood it had come down
to self defense. But they were still not happy about his loss.
Bobby exhaled once he reached the companionway outside the
briefing room. Jake was standing there waiting for him.
"Hey mate could you use a change of clothes and some hot food?"
"I'd take you up on the clean clothes and a shower." Bobby nodded
and followed Jake to the crew area.
Jake dug up a set of sailor's blue everyday uniform pants and shirt
for Bobby to wear after his shower.
Bobby knew he had only a few minutes of hot water to use. But
he stood under the water eyes closed letting the water work on
his tired body for a full thirty seconds. Then he turned the water
off and soaped up, scrubbing his fingers deep into his beard and
scalp to remove the grime. He noticed new bruises here and there
on his skin. He hadn't noticed when he had collected them.
Once he was sure he was well soaped up and ready to rinse off he
turned the water back on, turning to face the water to rinse his
beard well. He used every second of his time under the hot water
then dried off.
"I've got some clothes here for you Mate. I think they'll fit."
Jake passed the gear to Bobby.
"Thanks I'll catch up with you later. I'm going back down to
sick bay."
"Right-O, tell Fawkes we are all pulling for him."
"I'll tell him, how is the other man doing?" Bobby asked just remembering
that Darien hadn't been the only man injuried.
"He's stable and they say he'll recover." Jake grinned.
"Good, I'll tell Fawkes what you said."
:::::::::::::::::::
Claire rolled her shoulders, she'd been sitting with Darien. She
stood and stretched. He was doing well. His pulse was strong
and steady his color improved. She was sure he would be fine.
Bobby stood in the doorway watching her. He knew what he felt
for her. He just was unsure how to express his feelings with out
it sounding like a school boy with a crush. He watched as Claire
spoke with the corpsman then stepped into the room when
she turned in his direction.
"Hi, how's he doing?"
"He's doing quiet well. He'll be back to himself in no time."
Claire smiled when she saw Bobby. He looked very different
with the beard and his hair a bit shaggy around his collar.
The borrowed clothes he was wearing fit him snugly. He
was almost as thin as Darien these days.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Bobby stepped forward,
touching her arm with his hand.
"Yes of course." she followed him back out into the companion
way. There was a door with a window at the end, Bobby was
standing near the window, waiting for her.
"Claire I wanted to tell you. I though about you a lot when I was
over here." Bobby paused, "I missed you."
"I missed you Bobby. I'm so glad your back safe." Claire smiled at
him, she was studying his face. He looked so unlike himself. But his
eyes were the same. Dark, gentle, expressive eyes that she had
always depended on to tell her his moods. She knew the flirting
had been half real, half for show. But now she saw there was more
there, he did have strong feelings for her.
Claire was suddenly nervous. "You are alright aren't you. Even a
small wound could be very dangerous in those conditions."
Claire grasped his hand in hers and looked it over for scratches
pushing his sleeve back and checking his arm. Then repeating the
process with his other hand. She didn't release her hold on his
hand once she was satisfied he was unhurt. Bobby curled his
fingers around hers. Both of her hands cradled his larger hand
between them as she lifted it to her lips and kissed the back.
Bobby stared into her eyes, overcome by her actions.
" You look so different with a beard. I didn't know it was you
until you spoke." She lifted a hand touch his hair covered cheek.
Bobby swallowed, his eyes locked with hers.
Claire leaned in to place a kiss on his mouth. She had been dreaming
about this for weeks, her reunion with him. She wasn't going to pass
up her chance to express her feelings.
Bobby responded to her gentle kiss, one hand on her waist the other
still holding her hand. Their was so much emotion boiling between
them he struggled to keep their first kiss tender.
"I was so scared when you left. Scared I'd never see you again."
Claire told him, her eyes brimming with tears. Then she was
wrapping her arms around him, her face pressed into his shoulder.
"Don't put me through that again Bobby. Please."
"I'm here now, I'm safe." He hugged her tight, she felt so perfect
in his arms. "Why were you scared? You know I always land on my
feet."
Claire heard his teasing tone, but loved the feel of his arms around
her. She wasn't about to move from his embrace.
"Do you really want to know why I was scared?" she whispered.
"Yeah you're not my Keeper, why were you concerned?" Bobby
wanted her to say the words he longed to hear.
"I was scared because I love you, you dolt." Claire eased back to
look at him. But she was smiling at him. Her eyes bright with
happiness.
"I love you." He caressed her cheek with his palm.
"I'll sorry you were worried about me."
Bobby smiled back, one hand on her upper arm, keeping her
close. Then it was his turn to kiss her, this time there was more
passion, more pressure. Claire moaned in delight and responded
in kind. Smoothing her hands up his back, holding on to him for
balance.
They kissed for several minutes, before they both needed a break
for air and to gain control.
"Want to get something to eat?" Bobby finally asked, once he was
calmed down.
"Yes. Darien is in good hands."
:::::::::::::::::::
"Sir we just received word that the mission was successful. But Darien
was wounded and Claire had to patch him up when he arrived on board
the Carrier." Eberts reported to his boss.
"Wounded did they give details?"
"No, sir just that he was expected to make a full recovery."
"Knowing Fawkes he was probably putting himself at risk when he
should have been taking care of our investment."
"Yes, sir he does seem to have a talent for making matters worse."
Eberts nodded. He'd been relieved when the message came in that
Darien and Bobby were safe and the mission was completed.
He excused himself and went to place a call to Alex. She had made
him promise to keep her informed. She was new to the team but
she cared about both Fawkes and Hobbes.
"Monroe."
"Ms. Monroe this is Eberts, I wanted to report that Agents Fawkes
and Hobbes are back from their mission. Darien was wounded but
Claire was there to treat his injury and he is expected to recover."
"Eberts that's great news. Darien is going to be fine?"
"Yes, Claire is sure he is on the road to recovery."
"Good, good. Bobby is OK?"
"Yes, Agent Hobbes is fine."
"OK, that's great. Thanks for the call Eberts I do appreciate it."
"You're welcome Ms. Monroe. Please keep in touch."
Eberts hung up the phone and smiled he always knew her hard, cold
act was just an act. She did care about her partners.
::::::::::::::::::
Claire and Bobby returned to the sick bay after sharing a quick meal.
Darien was still sleeping. The corpsman reported no change in his
condition and they settled into chairs beside his bunk to keep watch.
Bobby holding her hand still, not wanting to let her out of his sight.
Claire felt much the same, now that they had confessed their feelings
they needed constant contact. Bobby finally allowed himself to relax
and drift off into sleep. Claire resting against him, dozed off and on
through the night.
She woke up first, liking the feeling of his arm around her. The warmth
of his body under her cheek. Claire sighed and eased out of his hold.
She checked on Darien then visited the head.
Bobby woke up when she moved out of his hold. He stretched and
stood up. Looking over at Darien. He looked better his color was
back to normal. Bobby rolled his neck, and shoulders to ease the
stiffness from sleeping in a chair most of the night.
"Is there any place near by to get coffee?" Bobby asked the corpsman
on duty.
"Yes, sir the wardroom is just down the companion way."
"Thanks." Bobby went out, he needed to use the head and get some
caffeine in him soon. He checked his breath when he was washing
up, he could use a tooth brush but he made do with water and his
finger for the time being.
Bobby returned to sick bay with coffee for himself and Claire.
"Good morning." Claire smiled at him.
"Good morning, I brought you coffee." He grinned in return, passing
her the mug of coffee.
"Thank you Bobby, I really need this, this morning." She took a sip.
"Sleeping beauty is still out?"
"Yes, he'll sleep a lot the next few days. It helps the body to heal."
Bobby nodded. He moved closer to her, and leaned in to place a
morning kiss on her cheek. Claire smiled again, lifting a hand to
his chest as he came near. She couldn't get enough of touching
him since her confession. She flexed her fingers where they
touched his hard chest, she could feel his strength.
"You should find a empty bunk and get some rest yourself."
"I'm good. I'd rather stay here."
"Alright as you wish." She set her coffee on the table and wrote a
few notes on Darien's chart.
It was still earily but Bobby knew breakfast was served early on
a ship. His stomach growled and he took another sip of his coffee.
"Want to come have breakfast with me?"
"I'd like that." Claire put the chart back and spoke to the corpsman
then she turned to Bobby. Taking his arm and walking out with
him.
Darien was half awake during all of this and he opened his eyes
a few seconds to late to see them leaving together.
"Man, I'm thirsty." Darien opened his eyes.
"Here sir, you are allowed to have water now." The corpsman
handed Darien a glass with a straw in it. Darien took a long pull on
the straw and swallowed several times.
"Thanks. Did Claire and Bobby just leave?"
"Yes, Sir your Doctor and Mr. Hobbes just went to breakfast."
"Did they go together? You know together?" Darien asked. He
was sure he'd heard two people he cared about, using that tone you
reserved for the one you loved, with each other. But he wanted
conformation.
"Yes, Sir I believe they are a couple." The corpsman fought back
a smile.
"It's about time."
Darien smiled at the news that Bobby and Claire had gone to
breakfast together. He crossed his hands behind his head, then
winced when it made his side hurt.
"They say war is hell and after the past few days I believed they
were under stating things. They also say love is blind. After
watching Bobby and Claire dance around their feelings for each
other for two years, I knew that was true. It had taken a war
to bring them together."
"I was happy for them, they were good for each other.
We were all together again, and safe. So for at least a day or two,
God was in heaven and all was right with our little portion of the world."
end
part five
by mardel
rated PG
Bobby sat through the debriefing. Explaining that Omar had attempted
to push Evans out the open door of the chopper. He had caused his
own death through his own actions.
The officers conducting the debriefing understood it had come down
to self defense. But they were still not happy about his loss.
Bobby exhaled once he reached the companionway outside the
briefing room. Jake was standing there waiting for him.
"Hey mate could you use a change of clothes and some hot food?"
"I'd take you up on the clean clothes and a shower." Bobby nodded
and followed Jake to the crew area.
Jake dug up a set of sailor's blue everyday uniform pants and shirt
for Bobby to wear after his shower.
Bobby knew he had only a few minutes of hot water to use. But
he stood under the water eyes closed letting the water work on
his tired body for a full thirty seconds. Then he turned the water
off and soaped up, scrubbing his fingers deep into his beard and
scalp to remove the grime. He noticed new bruises here and there
on his skin. He hadn't noticed when he had collected them.
Once he was sure he was well soaped up and ready to rinse off he
turned the water back on, turning to face the water to rinse his
beard well. He used every second of his time under the hot water
then dried off.
"I've got some clothes here for you Mate. I think they'll fit."
Jake passed the gear to Bobby.
"Thanks I'll catch up with you later. I'm going back down to
sick bay."
"Right-O, tell Fawkes we are all pulling for him."
"I'll tell him, how is the other man doing?" Bobby asked just remembering
that Darien hadn't been the only man injuried.
"He's stable and they say he'll recover." Jake grinned.
"Good, I'll tell Fawkes what you said."
:::::::::::::::::::
Claire rolled her shoulders, she'd been sitting with Darien. She
stood and stretched. He was doing well. His pulse was strong
and steady his color improved. She was sure he would be fine.
Bobby stood in the doorway watching her. He knew what he felt
for her. He just was unsure how to express his feelings with out
it sounding like a school boy with a crush. He watched as Claire
spoke with the corpsman then stepped into the room when
she turned in his direction.
"Hi, how's he doing?"
"He's doing quiet well. He'll be back to himself in no time."
Claire smiled when she saw Bobby. He looked very different
with the beard and his hair a bit shaggy around his collar.
The borrowed clothes he was wearing fit him snugly. He
was almost as thin as Darien these days.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Bobby stepped forward,
touching her arm with his hand.
"Yes of course." she followed him back out into the companion
way. There was a door with a window at the end, Bobby was
standing near the window, waiting for her.
"Claire I wanted to tell you. I though about you a lot when I was
over here." Bobby paused, "I missed you."
"I missed you Bobby. I'm so glad your back safe." Claire smiled at
him, she was studying his face. He looked so unlike himself. But his
eyes were the same. Dark, gentle, expressive eyes that she had
always depended on to tell her his moods. She knew the flirting
had been half real, half for show. But now she saw there was more
there, he did have strong feelings for her.
Claire was suddenly nervous. "You are alright aren't you. Even a
small wound could be very dangerous in those conditions."
Claire grasped his hand in hers and looked it over for scratches
pushing his sleeve back and checking his arm. Then repeating the
process with his other hand. She didn't release her hold on his
hand once she was satisfied he was unhurt. Bobby curled his
fingers around hers. Both of her hands cradled his larger hand
between them as she lifted it to her lips and kissed the back.
Bobby stared into her eyes, overcome by her actions.
" You look so different with a beard. I didn't know it was you
until you spoke." She lifted a hand touch his hair covered cheek.
Bobby swallowed, his eyes locked with hers.
Claire leaned in to place a kiss on his mouth. She had been dreaming
about this for weeks, her reunion with him. She wasn't going to pass
up her chance to express her feelings.
Bobby responded to her gentle kiss, one hand on her waist the other
still holding her hand. Their was so much emotion boiling between
them he struggled to keep their first kiss tender.
"I was so scared when you left. Scared I'd never see you again."
Claire told him, her eyes brimming with tears. Then she was
wrapping her arms around him, her face pressed into his shoulder.
"Don't put me through that again Bobby. Please."
"I'm here now, I'm safe." He hugged her tight, she felt so perfect
in his arms. "Why were you scared? You know I always land on my
feet."
Claire heard his teasing tone, but loved the feel of his arms around
her. She wasn't about to move from his embrace.
"Do you really want to know why I was scared?" she whispered.
"Yeah you're not my Keeper, why were you concerned?" Bobby
wanted her to say the words he longed to hear.
"I was scared because I love you, you dolt." Claire eased back to
look at him. But she was smiling at him. Her eyes bright with
happiness.
"I love you." He caressed her cheek with his palm.
"I'll sorry you were worried about me."
Bobby smiled back, one hand on her upper arm, keeping her
close. Then it was his turn to kiss her, this time there was more
passion, more pressure. Claire moaned in delight and responded
in kind. Smoothing her hands up his back, holding on to him for
balance.
They kissed for several minutes, before they both needed a break
for air and to gain control.
"Want to get something to eat?" Bobby finally asked, once he was
calmed down.
"Yes. Darien is in good hands."
:::::::::::::::::::
"Sir we just received word that the mission was successful. But Darien
was wounded and Claire had to patch him up when he arrived on board
the Carrier." Eberts reported to his boss.
"Wounded did they give details?"
"No, sir just that he was expected to make a full recovery."
"Knowing Fawkes he was probably putting himself at risk when he
should have been taking care of our investment."
"Yes, sir he does seem to have a talent for making matters worse."
Eberts nodded. He'd been relieved when the message came in that
Darien and Bobby were safe and the mission was completed.
He excused himself and went to place a call to Alex. She had made
him promise to keep her informed. She was new to the team but
she cared about both Fawkes and Hobbes.
"Monroe."
"Ms. Monroe this is Eberts, I wanted to report that Agents Fawkes
and Hobbes are back from their mission. Darien was wounded but
Claire was there to treat his injury and he is expected to recover."
"Eberts that's great news. Darien is going to be fine?"
"Yes, Claire is sure he is on the road to recovery."
"Good, good. Bobby is OK?"
"Yes, Agent Hobbes is fine."
"OK, that's great. Thanks for the call Eberts I do appreciate it."
"You're welcome Ms. Monroe. Please keep in touch."
Eberts hung up the phone and smiled he always knew her hard, cold
act was just an act. She did care about her partners.
::::::::::::::::::
Claire and Bobby returned to the sick bay after sharing a quick meal.
Darien was still sleeping. The corpsman reported no change in his
condition and they settled into chairs beside his bunk to keep watch.
Bobby holding her hand still, not wanting to let her out of his sight.
Claire felt much the same, now that they had confessed their feelings
they needed constant contact. Bobby finally allowed himself to relax
and drift off into sleep. Claire resting against him, dozed off and on
through the night.
She woke up first, liking the feeling of his arm around her. The warmth
of his body under her cheek. Claire sighed and eased out of his hold.
She checked on Darien then visited the head.
Bobby woke up when she moved out of his hold. He stretched and
stood up. Looking over at Darien. He looked better his color was
back to normal. Bobby rolled his neck, and shoulders to ease the
stiffness from sleeping in a chair most of the night.
"Is there any place near by to get coffee?" Bobby asked the corpsman
on duty.
"Yes, sir the wardroom is just down the companion way."
"Thanks." Bobby went out, he needed to use the head and get some
caffeine in him soon. He checked his breath when he was washing
up, he could use a tooth brush but he made do with water and his
finger for the time being.
Bobby returned to sick bay with coffee for himself and Claire.
"Good morning." Claire smiled at him.
"Good morning, I brought you coffee." He grinned in return, passing
her the mug of coffee.
"Thank you Bobby, I really need this, this morning." She took a sip.
"Sleeping beauty is still out?"
"Yes, he'll sleep a lot the next few days. It helps the body to heal."
Bobby nodded. He moved closer to her, and leaned in to place a
morning kiss on her cheek. Claire smiled again, lifting a hand to
his chest as he came near. She couldn't get enough of touching
him since her confession. She flexed her fingers where they
touched his hard chest, she could feel his strength.
"You should find a empty bunk and get some rest yourself."
"I'm good. I'd rather stay here."
"Alright as you wish." She set her coffee on the table and wrote a
few notes on Darien's chart.
It was still earily but Bobby knew breakfast was served early on
a ship. His stomach growled and he took another sip of his coffee.
"Want to come have breakfast with me?"
"I'd like that." Claire put the chart back and spoke to the corpsman
then she turned to Bobby. Taking his arm and walking out with
him.
Darien was half awake during all of this and he opened his eyes
a few seconds to late to see them leaving together.
"Man, I'm thirsty." Darien opened his eyes.
"Here sir, you are allowed to have water now." The corpsman
handed Darien a glass with a straw in it. Darien took a long pull on
the straw and swallowed several times.
"Thanks. Did Claire and Bobby just leave?"
"Yes, Sir your Doctor and Mr. Hobbes just went to breakfast."
"Did they go together? You know together?" Darien asked. He
was sure he'd heard two people he cared about, using that tone you
reserved for the one you loved, with each other. But he wanted
conformation.
"Yes, Sir I believe they are a couple." The corpsman fought back
a smile.
"It's about time."
Darien smiled at the news that Bobby and Claire had gone to
breakfast together. He crossed his hands behind his head, then
winced when it made his side hurt.
"They say war is hell and after the past few days I believed they
were under stating things. They also say love is blind. After
watching Bobby and Claire dance around their feelings for each
other for two years, I knew that was true. It had taken a war
to bring them together."
"I was happy for them, they were good for each other.
We were all together again, and safe. So for at least a day or two,
God was in heaven and all was right with our little portion of the world."
end
