Title: Of Demons and Souls, Chapter Three: The Search.
Author: AriellaGiselle
Rating: R, for violence, bloodletting, m/m overtones, adult content, language, and major angst.
Pairings: Darien/Bobby, Darien/Spike, Spike/Willow
Distribution: My site, Fanfiction.net, IMFanfic, Bite me... Please?, QSArchive, and NeonSilence. Anyone else, just ask.
Spoilers: I don't think there are any.
Time-line: Post-In the Woods, Pre-Crush; Post-Den of Theives. They don't line up, but we don't see me caring, do we? ;-)
Summary: Darien and Bobby visit Sunnydale with dire consequences for them both.
Author's Notes: This is an AU storie. It's a crossover between Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Invisible Man. In my universe, Spike never had the chip, and Tara isn't Willow's girlfriend. Even if you don't follow Buffy, you should be able to follow this. Spike is a vampire, Willow is a witch, Buffy is the Slayer (duh!).
Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the plot. Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to the mighty Joss and Kuzui/Sandollar. The Invisible Man belongs to Scifi and Stu Segall.

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"Any progress, sir?" Claire asked hopefully.

"No, we've got agents all over Sunnydale, but they're no where to be found. How close is Darien to..." the Official trailed off.

"Any time now, sir. It is just so important that we find him and being him in before he goes quicksilver mad," she stressed her words harshly. It had been five days since Bobby's last call, and the stress and worry was getting to her. "Any time," she repeated, "Unless, heavens forefend, something's happened to him."

"We have our best agents out now, Claire," the Official spoke softly, almost kindly, "We'll find them."

"I know, sir. I know." But she didn't know. She was as heartbroken at the partners' disappearance as the entire Agency was. "I'll be in the Keep. Call me if..."

"Sir!" Eberts said breathlessly from the doorway, "We have a lead!"

"Well? What is it, Eberts?!" the Official shouted at the lackey.

"One of the reports from our agents in Sunnydale tells of Fawkes and Hobbes being attacked outside of a local club; The Bronze, I believe," Eberts sputtered.

"Attacked?" Claire whispered.

"Yes. The reports aren't clear on the attackers, but Special Agent in Charge Whalley says that she's positive that it was Agent Fawkes and Agent Hobbes."

"We've got to go to Sunnydale, sir! We have to see if they're all right!" Claire insisted.

"Eberts, is there anymore to that report?" the Official asked calmly.

"Yes, Fawkes was found a day later, checked into Sunnydale General Hospital," Eberts flipped through the file folder he was carrying, "He was listed under the name 'John Doe 09' due to the lack of ID on his person. Police suspect the motive for the attack was robbery."

"Where is Darien now?" Claire looked at Eberts expectantly.

"He was reported missing from the hospital two days later. A nurse went in to check on him, and he was gone from his bed. Nothing has been seen or heard about him since."

"Sir, let's go. Let's not waste anymore time," Claire pleaded.

"Eberts, get the car ready; we're going to Sunnydale," the Official ordered.

*****

The streets of Sunnydale were silent as the black Agency car crept down the asphalt toward the hospital. Claire had suggested that was the best place to start their search.

The hospital was quieter than the streets had been. Claire glanced around and walked slowly, calmly to the nurse's station. "Hello, I'm Dr. Claire Keeply. I'm with the Department of Health and Human Services," she reached into her purse and held up her badge for the round woman manning the desk, "I need to ask you or someone about a patient that disappeared from this hospital a few days ago."

"Who are you looking for, doctor?" the woman who's name tag identified her as Gwendolyn Mondle, RN asked.

"A Mr. Darien Fawkes. He was listed under the name 'John Doe 09'," she again searched her purse and flashed a picture of Darien. "This is the man I need information on. Have you seen him, Nurse Mondle?"

"Yeah, I went to check his vitals day before yesterday, and he was nowhere to be found. Security searched the entire hospital for him and came up empty," she answered. Gwendolyn spoke simply and plainly, which led Claire to believe that she was telling the truth.

"Is there someone in Security I could speak with? Someone on the Administrative Staff, perhaps?"

"It's rather late, and the only person on the Board that would still be here would be Dr. Mitchell. I could page him, if you'd like."

"Could you? That would be of great help, Nurse Mondle," Claire smiled at the woman.

"Call me Gwen, dear. Happy to help. That young man didn't look all that well, and I'm worried about him," Gwen said sympathetically.

"Me too, Gwen. Me too," the blonde Keeper sighed softly.

*****

Claire walked up the two flights of stairs to Dr. Mitchell's office. She paused briefly before knocking twice at the beautifully polished mahogany door.

"Come in," a stern man's voice came through. His tone indicated weariness, a desire to be else where maybe.

The Keeper turned the brass knob and opened the door. "Hello," she started, "My name is Dr. Claire Keeply, and I'm an agent with the Department of Health and Human Services. I have a few questions about a recent patient. A Darien Fawkes."

"I don't recall the name," he groused.

Her eyes darted to the golden nameplate on the desk. Dr. Anthony Mitchell, M.D. glared at her solidly while she gained her footing. This man was not going to be as forthcoming with the information as the nurse at the front desk.

"Well, he wasn't listed under that name. It is my Agency's understanding that his identification was missing. He was admitted as 'John Doe 09'," she recalled for the second time that evening.

"Ah, yes. Nurse Mondle has spoken to me twice about him. That woman worries too much, I'll tell you that."

"Well, I'm looking for him. He's an agent of the Government and a very dear friend of mine. I have been sent by my boss to find him. Is there any information you can give me that might lead me to his whereabouts?" Claire asked briskly.

"No, miss. He was here, now he's not."

Claire struggle to keep her smile hidden at the doctor's choice of words.

"I know, but was there anything unusual about him? Anything you noticed in his bloodwork, any test you ran, anything that may help?"

"No. There was a high amount of an unknown chemical compound in his blood stream that we were curious about. And he seemed to have an extra gland in his brain. Maybe you could explain a few things to me, Dr. Keeply," he said, narrowing his beady eyes at her.

"I'm sorry, but that information is classified, Dr. Mitchell," she smiled smugly, "Thank you for your time, doctor. My Agency appreciates your cooperation, sir."

"Well, glad to help, little lady. If you have any more questions, you should ask Security. I saw the man for two minutes the day he was brought in, but the guards would know more than I do."

"Thank you. I will be sure to ask them if I need anymore information," she smiled and stood. Extending her hand, Claire caught the older doctor's eye and held his gaze for a split-second, hoping to convey that she and her colleagues were not to be toyed with.

She turned and left the lavishly decorated office. "Sheesh," she muttered softly.

*****

"Darien, where are you?" Claire whispered into the night air. The stars had been twinkling so brightly outside. They invited her to some secret soiree of sensuality. She stood on the balcony to her hotel room and breathed in the salty air. A gentle breeze blew her hair away from her face. She repeated her question, a little louder this time.

"I'm right here," a voice came from below her.

Startled, she leaned over the wrought-iron balcony to find Darien standing no more than twelve feet below her. Her blue eyes widened in shock and relief flooded her body, so much so that she thought she would pass out.

"Darien?" she finally managed to croak. "Is it you?"

He smiled and nodded. "Yeah, Keepy, it's me. Can I come up?"

"Yes, of course," she answered. The briefest hint of a smile on Darien's face didn't escape Claire's excellent observation.

*****

The soft rap at her door brought Claire back to reality. She went to her suitcase and removed the vial of counteragent and a syringe. Sliding the bolt, twisting the lock, she opened the door to Darien's smiling face. Not missing a beat, she threw her arms around his neck and held him close.

His arms instinctively went to her waist. He was reluctant to let her go. The sound of her heart beating, thundering in his ears was like the sweetest music he'd ever heard.

"I missed you too, Keepy," he whispered.

"Where the Hell have you been?" she shouted.

"Calm down, Claire. I'll tell you the whole story, I promise."

"Fine. Um, let me see your tattoo," she said, reaching for his wrist. His hand jerked out of her reach. Her eyes flew to meet his; his eyes were brown, not QSM scarlet.

"You don't have to check that anymore. It's all been taken care of, Claire," he whispered.

"Darien," she said warningly, "You have to tell me what's going on."

"Ok, it goes a little something like this..."

*****

end part three