Notes and disclaimer on the previous page.

Part two: Warning This fic contains violence and torture to one or more characters.


The Storm Part Two

Charlie Borden walked along the darkened basement hallways of the Agency.
He stopped abruptly in front of the door to lab three. As he began to turn the knob he wondered if they were doing the right thing. Sending his agents so far away without the protection of the Agency sent a chill up his spine. But ultimately he knew the Agency could only be the death of all of them in their current situation.

He slowly pushed open the door to the darkened room, which was lit only by the lights of the machines that were beeping incessantly keeping Darien Fawkes alive. Bobby was asleep in a bed no more than two yards away. Claire was asleep but restless in a reclining chair he had, ordered to be brought in several hours ago.

He walked over and touched Claire on the shoulder. "Claire," he whispered trying to wake her gently.
Claire slowly opened her eyes. She thought maybe it was all a dream, but as she slowly looked up the figure finding the official, and seeing where she was realized it was not a dream.

"Claire," the Official whispered again. "You really need to get up and get going."

Claire nodded as she sat up in a sleepy haze. The Official handed her a Pepsi that he had picked up on his way down. "Thanks, is it morning already?" She asked as she sat forward in the chair, took the drink from the Official, and took a sip. It sent the usual surge of energy down her spine.

"No Claire," the Official whispered. Claire looked up in alarm as a question flew across her face.

"What…why? Has something happened? Is Darien?" She asked. Walking over to her patient's that lay in the beds, she saw they were fine. The Official walked up behind her and turned her around to face him..

"No, Claire they're fine it's just … we need to get Darien out of here while we still can. I've put out a false lead. By tomorrow, everyone that wants their hands on him, will think that he's gone to LA to Alex's safe house not Bobby's. And they'll think he's leaving tomorrow night, not now. Only those of us in this room, Alex and Ebert's know the truth. And of course our sponsors, they'll be sending a decoy to LA for us. So don't worry you're safe for now." The Official responded.

Claire let out a sigh of relief. She turned to Bobby to wake him.

He woke with a start. He was in the middle of a wonderful dream with him and Claire lying on the beach, Claire in a gorgeous bikini, and the both of them soaking in the sun sipping ice cold latte's. It was a wonderful dream. "Too bad it wasn't real," He said aloud.

"Too bad what's not real Bobby?" Claire asked. Bobby just shrugged her off as he shook the cobwebs from his head in a loud annoying sound that could only be made by him.

"What's goin' on Claire?" Bobby asked as he sat up in his hospital bed wiping the final appearances of sleep from his eyes.

"We have to leave NOW Bobby." Claire whispered, with a bit of urgency to her voice.

"Okay, but Claire?" He also whispered.

Claire turned from her work to face Bobby, "Yes Bobby?"

"Why are we whispering?" Bobby asked with a twisted look on his face.

Claire sat down next to Bobby on the bed. "Bobby, Darien needs as much rest as he can get we're whispering so he can get that rest. Does that answer your question Bobby?" Claire asked standing and going back to packing up the few things she hadn't already packed and needed.

He answered in his nonchalant sort of way he always did. "Yeah Claire that's all Bobby Hobbes needed to know my friend.


Darien began to moan in his sleep and woke suddenly. Seeing Claire packing a bag and getting everything ready for transport he looked around the room with unease. "Claire what's going on?" He asked through a scratchy voice.

"Darien," she said as she ran to his side. "I told you not to try to talk." Darien strained to try to get on to his one good elbow he had, but he did which brought a whimper from his lips.

"Darien! You really shouldn't." He just glared at her waiting for his answer.

"Alright!" She said exasperated. "If you must know we are taking you and going to a little place up in the mountains of Utah." "What!" He squeaked. "Don't worry a friend of Bobby's has a nice little secluded Bed & Breakfast that's supposed to be a cover for his spy agency up there. We're taking you there to be safe while you HEAL you hear me Darien, HEAL! Darien? DARIEN!" She screamed. He just looked at her blankly.

Worried she checked his vitals. "Dammit!" Claire exclaimed.

The official heard her and walked away from Hobbes in mid-sentence. Bobby who hadn't heard a thing watched the official in dismay.

"Claire is everything alright? The Official asked with concern written all over his face.

"No! No, it's not!" She cried.

Bobby heard her and hobbled over seeing Darien's blank look. "Is Fawkes alright?"

She just shook her head through tears.

"He's so weak I don't know. His trying to do as much as he did totally exhausted him."

"Claire," Bobby asked.
"What Bobby?" Claire responded a bit snappy.

"Is that normal for him to … look like that?" He pointed at the blank stare Darien was still conveying across his face. "Cause I'll tell ya my friend that don't look normal." Bobby commented shaking his head as he walked away.

"Well Bobby," Claire started after him. "He's awake but just … the blood loss, the pain, and everything else he's just SO damn tired Bobby. He needs to be sedated I don't want to risk hurting him anymore if I don't have too. Is that alright with you Darien?" Darien weakly nodded his head as he tried to focus on his friends without success.




Claire injected a small needle into Darien's IV. They all exhaled in relief as within moments Darien's eyes rolled back into his head and he was sleeping comfortably.

A short time later they were all loaded into the Hobbes van. Darien was unconscious due to the sedative on a makeshift bed, with monitors and tubes hanging everywhere, running in and out of him. Claire sat opposite Darien. While Bobby sat in the passenger seat making sure Alex didn't miss any turn offs she needed to take.

A few hours later…

"SLOW DOWN MONROE! What are ya frickin' tryin to do? Kill us?" Bobby asked grabbing at the wheel.

Hitting Bobby's arms away Alex asked. "Hobbes what's your problem?" The van skidded uncontrollably to a stop in front of a rest stop.

"I just thought we should stop, give us all a rest maybe get some food. And maybe, just maybe let SOMEONE ELSE DRIVE! You are one crazy driver Monroe!" Bobby exclaimed angrily through gritted teeth.

"What's the matter Bobby? Don't like someone else driving the precious little Hobbes mobile?" Alex said sarcastically.

"I don't think he does. Darien usually has to 'pry' those keys out of his hands." Claire chortled as she exited the van.

Bobby leaned over, grabbed the keys from Alex's hand, and lowered himself out of the van.

"Hobbes!" Alex screamed as she chased Bobby down. Which wasn't too difficult given his current condition and all. Once she caught him she shoved him up against the van before he could get very far.

"What was all that about?" Alex asked in an almost threatening tone.

"Nothin' just … that's the only van I've got my friend. And by the way Monroe, you need to learn a little respect for other people's things." Bobby sighed triumphantly, released himself from her grasp, and headed to a nearby bench. Alex in effect ran after him yet again.

"Hobbes I just wanted to …" Bobby ignored her and just sat there with his arms folded, his injured leg extended, and the other leg tucked under him. His head was turned to face Claire who was sitting on the other side of him, and he was not by any means going to even look at Alex.

Alex sat on the bench trying to get his attention. Bobby just shifted in derision. Alex laid a hand on Bobby's arm. "Bobby! I'm sorry okay? I'll be more careful next time. I … I wasn't thinking, alright!"

"Darn right you weren't thinking Alex!" Claire said seemingly out of nowhere.

"What? You too Claire?" Alex asked.

"Alex you almost had 'me' lying on top of Darien. Who by the way had to be sedated yet again after that."

"Why… what?" Alex stammered.

"He's suffering from extensive injuries and that little jolt my dear almost sent him straight over the edge."

Bobby sat upright. "Is the kid alright?"
"Yes Bobby," Claire started. "He's okay for now he just needs his rest. A few short hours just aren't enough for 'anyone' in his condition."

After a seemingly long minute Alex cut in. "That's enough! We need to get back on the road. Bobby do you want to drive or…" She held out her hand waiting impatiently, tapping her foot, with her other arm folded against her ribs. Bobby sat on the bench unwillingly yet again and looked to Claire for help.

"Don't look at me Bobby, I have to keep an eye on Darien." Claire gave him a sharp look and he turned the keys over to Alex reluctantly.

Several hours later they pulled into Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Are we there yet?" Claire asked tired and concerned.

"No Claire, we're in Vegas. I thought we could gas up and grab some food. We'll take turns watching Fawkes so you can get out and stretch a bit."

"Thanks Alex, I could really use a good stretch about now." Claire said twisting, and yawning trying to get out what little kinks she could.

Bobby walked over peering into the side of the van he saw his partner still out cold. "Is he…"
Claire smiled and giggled a bit. "He's fine Bobby he's just resting. I haven't given him anymore of the sedative for quite a while now. You can go in if you like."

Bobby shook his head. "No, that's okay I need to stretch. My leg's been cramping up."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah sure it's just … when you opened the door and I saw him lying there … like that … I thought … I thought… well never mind what I thought. Just don't be scaring me like that."

"I know Bobby and … I'm sorry. Do you need me to check your leg?"

"No, no Bobby Hobbes is just fine." Claire chuckled a bit and checked his leg anyway. She began changing the blood soaked bandage. "Well, maybe … maybe just a little pain … right about … there … right … right where your hand was … that's it. Aah! Careful there Claire!."

Claire just laughed, shook her head, and put on a fresh bandage. Finishing, she walked over and went inside the gas station. Bobby was left to watch over Fawkes.

An hour later they were back on the road again well rested, and ready to get to their destination. Where maybe, just maybe they could actually get some rest.


"Hobbes?" Alex asked. Getting no answer she traced Bobby's face and ear ever so slightly.
He in turn swiped her away like a bug.

"Robert Albert Hobbes! Dammit, would you please just wake up?!" She said through clenched teeth while she slugged him a good one in the arm.

Bobby whimpered lightly. "Hey what was that for?"
She pointed to the road while he stirred trying to wake himself. He only squinted at the car lights in front of them and went back to sleep.

"Where are we Alex? Claire whispered groggily.

"The sign back there said Welcome to Hurricane Utah. I wonder what kind of a person would name a place after a storm?"

"I don't know maybe one that sat it out in a Hurricane! Claire laughed.

"Or maybe," Bobby started one that didn't know how to spell Hurricun."
Alex and Claire both looked at him astonished and asked in unison. "What?!"

Bobby sat straight up. "What? You think you said it Hurricane? Or maybe you just thought Bobby Hobbes was sleepin' and wouldn't here ya miss pronounce that one, huh?

Alex and Claire both just smiled half heartedly and said, "yeah, … well… maybe, maybe not. But Hobbes I really don't think you say it like …"

Bobby was annoyed now, she really didn't believe him. But Bobby Hobbes knew all right. He sat up even straighter in his seat. "Alex I can't believe you of all people don't believe me."

"I didn't say…" Alex started only to be cut off again by Bobby.

"I spent three years down here a few years back. Me and Freddy, see that's how we met AND how he decided to move down here after he retired.

See there was these perps, they knocked over a bank up in Seattle. I was on my way to a conference and this was on my way so the boss; who happened to be in the FBI back then called me. Said they had a tip that they were last seen in Hurricane, Utah. I thought it was said like that back then too. Well the boss told me to meet some guy named Fred Vorton. Let me tell ya that didn't seem like any kind of decent name to me my friend. Well, I went ahead and met the guy and we went to this guys place who happened to be our tip and all I did was ask the guy how he came to be livin' up here in Hurricane Utah. And the guy calls in his gang said he was teachin' me a lesson in proper verbalization. You wouldn't think they'd have a gang up here, but boy when I tell you they do, they really do. Freddy luckily got me out of that one. The man saved my life my friend. If he hadn't been there I don't know…"

"BOBBY!" Claire and Alex said in unison flabbergasted by his long-winded self-interest.
Bobby turned. "What?!" He trailed off, "I just don't know where I'd be right now my friend. I just … don't know."

"Hey Alex," Claire crawled to the front and pointed out the window. "Is that a gas station? Why don't you try there?" Bobby continued talking under his breath more to himself than anything else as they continued on.

"No Claire, I am 'not' going into another gas station! If you want to, then by all means go right ahead, but I for one don't think so doll." Alex stated decisively.

"Whatever, but at this rate your liable to get us 'all' lost." Claire whispered under her breath as she sat back down.

Not knowing where to go next, Alex pulled into an Ace Hardware. Bobby was still quite out of it and into his own thoughts, but startled alert as Alex slowed to a stop.

"Alex what are you doing? We takin' another pit stop or somethin'?"

"No! Hobbes, if you need to know I was going to go ask for directions seeing as how you would rather just sit and enjoy the ride or sleep or tell us long meaningless stories than tell us where we're going.."

"Well, Alex if you needed to know all you had to do was ask." Bobby said as he stretched and yawned one more time.

"What?! I've been trying to wake you for the past ten minutes. The least you could've done was tell me where we were going BEFORE you decided to get some beauty rest and… and… when you did decide to wake up you… oh never mind." Alex grunted in disgust. She was angry now and boy if looks could kill Bobby would be dead right now.

"That was strictly 'need to know' my friend. Need …to… know!" Bobby let the words roll off his tongue into the night air.

"Hobbes! What is with you and Fawkes and all of this need to know crap?"

"Need to…"

"Need to know!" Alex finished. "Yeah, I know! Now give me those directions and let's get outa here NOW! PLEASE!"


The van pulled up in front of 'The Bed & Breakfast' twenty minutes later.
Claire sat in relief with her hand to her forehead. Bobby turned seeing her in this condition, he leaned back in his chair so she could hear him. "Hey, Claire everything alright back there? Fawksey giving you any trouble?"

She just shook her head as tears began to run down her face yet again. Everything was beginning to take its toll.

Alex saw her and ran back to see what was happening that would upset her so. Just as she did, a rather tall middle-aged man walked down the darkened but well lit path to the van.

Claire looked up startled, with brown streaks running down her face. "I'm fine." She said through tears. "Its just … Darien and I have had a rough time going. We're okay though, I think. I need to get him inside, he's weak, exhausted, and a sponge bath, and some good nursing would be nice. A meal and a shower for me would be just wonderful."

"Coming right up!"

All heads turned to the sound of the voice. It was Freddy Vorton in the flesh.

Standing in front of them was a tall, well groomed yet rugged looking man. His hands were stuffed in his back pockets of the jeans he was wearing. The plaid shirt he had on was a blue and yellow and off-white color. He looked like he'd lived there all his life. Like the country was part of him.

"Fred-dy!" Bobby exclaimed. He let his crutch fall to the ground, leapt one very large step across the distance, and threw his arms around his long time friend.

"Bobby my man! Long time-no see, my friend." Freddy exclaimed. Freddy felt as though he was being choked by Bobby's choke hold and pushed himself from Bobby's grip.

"Just don't call me Freddy around the boys my friend." He motioned to the group of men dressed in like manner coming up behind him. "Bobby, these are the boys their good agents, just a little young if you know what I mean."

Hobbes nodded. Fred motioned to the rest of the group behind Bobby.

"Oh! Sorry Fred, this over here is Alex … Alex Monroe that is." Bobby pointed to where Alex was standing next the van and limped over, with help from Fred.

"A pleasure ma'am." Fred nodded at the woman. She was just his type. If only he had been 20 years younger and single. He could tell she lived for the job and that was always a plus in Fred's book.

"Charmed I'm sure." Alex said shaking the man's hand but at the same time she was looking around the place with extreme caution. She was not going to be caught unprepared if she could possibly help it. And this place looked like it could use some major security measures. Besides to her this guy looked like he enjoyed country life just a little too much for her liking. There was no way this guy was as good as Hobbes said he was.

"This place looks pretty secluded. Frrr … Fred is it?"

"Yeah, but you can call me Freddy," he grinned sheepishly "all the ladies do."

"I'll bet!" Alex stated with virulence as she backed off and Bobby cut in dragging Claire reluctantly behind him. "Bobby!" Claire exclaimed.
Bobby paid her no mind and started in. "This is Claire Keeply."

"Dr. Keeply actually." Claire corrected shaking the man's hand in kind.

"Well, well Doctor it's nice to have such pretty faces around all of us boring men."

Claire blushed and chuckled a bit at the comment. While Alex stood leaning against the van, arms folded, shaking her head in pure disgust at the man. But hey she'd dealt with men far worse than him. Most them no where near as like a gentleman as he was.

"We'll get ya all you need. Just ask away and the boys here will get it for ya."

"Why thank you Mr. Vorton." Claire said in kind.

"No , no not Mr. Vorton, Fred now that would be better than Mr. Vorton.
"Of course, thank you… Fred." Claire nodded a bit on the apprehensive side as her worry for Darien was getting the better of her.

And you Ms. Keeply are 'very' welcome. Boys help the doctor here get her patient up to the main house. And ma'am call me Freddy."

As soon as Freddy had said it three men came out from behind him and walked over to the van. Claire followed, talking incessantly about how they needed to be extremely careful, and gentle, and not to forget this, or not so fast with that, etc,.

Bobby walked alongside his sleeping partner as he talked to his long time friend. "This here is …"

"Darien Fawkes." Fred finished. "I know Charlie filled me in on what I needed to know which he said was just his name, his condition, and that he was with you. He got me back a couple extra of my boys here for protection for ya all. Just the funny thing is he wouldn't tell me why we needed to protect the guy or anything else about him for that matter.

Must be pretty important, to be able to bring my boys back that quick. They arrived back here this morning just two hours after Charlie's call. I've been tryin' to get them back for weeks now with no luck."

"Yeah, well that's the official for ya." Bobby stated.
"That's right, he said to call him the official I thought he was jokin' or somethin'".

"Oh trust me Fred the 'fish wouldn't kid about somethin' like that." Bobby stated seriously.

"So Bobby," Fred asked. "What can you tell me about this guy? He's such a mess and under as so much secret protection I can't help but wonder ya know."

"Yeah, Fred I know. Actually Fawkes here, is an agent." Bobby said as he took the door from the agent helping Claire and waited for his friend.
"No way, is that guy an agent."

"That's what I said at first. But I'll tell ya Vorty he's one of the best. I'd risk my life for the kid and I know he'd do the same for me."

"That's great but, Bobby what is he, like some 007 type? He's gotta be to have that kind of clearance."
"Vorty you know better than to ask. But to answer your question no, he's not no 007."
"He might as well be." Alex chimed in as she came in and sat gingerly in an overstuffed sofa chair.

Not totally believing Bobby; Fred started. "I guess it's just I gotta be able to protect my boys if he worked for a crime family or something I gotta know what to expect."

Bobby laughed and snickered at that. "Vorty he ain't no criminal in some witness protection or nothin' like that I told ya that. He's an agent like I said, who happens to have some perps out to get him. They got a hold of some top secret info so it wasn't safe for him back there right now. They're after the agency too so until Fawkes here is healed up we need to hide out."

"I'm sorry Bobby I just thought with the hush, hush clearance and all. Well, who is this 007 agent anyway? And don't tell me Darien Fawkes 'cause I know that and you know it."

"Vorty, Vorty, Vorty you know you don't have high enough clearance for me to tell ya that. Let's just leave it and have a nice visit. What d'ya say my friend?"
Fred nodded to his friend and tried to get his mind off of Fawkes, but it just wasn't happening.

Alex couldn't hold it back any longer she grinned nonchalantly sat forward with her hands on her bare knees and started in. "Well, Agent Fawkes is one of the highest classified agents in the field. I'd tell you about him but then…" She sat back grinning mischievously.
"But then you'd have to kill me." Vorty finished.
"Now we wouldn't want that now would we Vorty?" Alex asked.
He just shook his head while grinning ever so widely at Alex.

Just then a beautiful, tall thin woman walked in the room. Shaking her head at Fred she walked over behind him laying a hand on his shoulder.
"Oh honey this is…" Fred started.
"I know who this is dear, the official called me too. You see Alex I happen to have much higher clearance than my husband Fred here. Who by the way will be sleeping out in the cellar if he doesn't watch it and leave these poor ladies alone."

"And you are?" Alex asked with a hint of relief to the interruption.
Oh, I'm sorry ma'am. I'm Virginia Vorton, you can call me Genie. I'm Freddy's wife. Don't worry Fred the boys are outside I sent them out to keep watch."
Fred nodded and Alex shook Genies hand.

"Excuse me Genie, I see someone that may need some help with those stairs over there." Alex said excusing herself.

"Oh!" Genie exclaimed as she saw what Alex saw.

Claire climbed slowly down the stairs to the lobby. Alex having seen her ran to her aid. Followed by a very alarmed Genie. They just knew if they didn't Claire would tumble down the stairs.

"Thanks" Claire said as they all fell to the couch.
"I'm so tired. That trip took more out of me than I thought."
"Anytime Claire how's Fawkes?" Alex asked.
"He's resting peacefully, he should be well enough in a few days to start his therapy." Claire said.

Relieved, Bobby who had been listening intently sat back and relaxed in the overstuffed furniture.
They all sat and talked for the next hour getting to know each other. After some time each of them went one by one and made their way to their rooms.

Each of them were to take turns watching Fawkes through the night.


The man in the black suit paced awaiting the phone call. He warned them what would happen if they crossed him with the death of Sam. Sam had tried to tell him in that alleyway that he could get Fawkes on his own.

As soon as Sam had the money he would have killed 'him' as sure as he was standing there. And he knew it. Sam had been good torturing, but when it came to dealing he really was a poor excuse for a criminal. He had no idea what he was doing when he tried to cut Luther out of the deal.

The phone began ringing, the man called to his assistant in the next room who effectively picked up the receiver. After only seconds she returned with news.

"Sir, that was Luther he said everything is going as planned. Fawkes and his friends have left for the safe house like you said they would. Our man is in place at the Bed & Breakfast. I'm sure everything will go as planned. The phone call from Mr. Borden was recorded if you want to hear the tape…"

The man in black just waved her off. She nodded and exited the room.

Bridgett Monaco had been an agent for the government up until she met Stephen Richards. It was then that she came to work for the man in black or so he liked to be called.

Stephen was very, VERY convincing. He had files, upon files of atrocities her own government had committed. But even that wasn't enough. Stephen himself finally convinced her. He was too much of a nice guy to be mixed up in something that wasn't on the up and up or so she thought. But once in there, there was no way out of this evil little group.

But the years of work for this man had changed her now anyway. She had become just as cruel and uncaring as the man in black and Stephen's real side was.

A few weeks ago on assignment with Stephen they found the man in blacks REAL cover. They found that most of what he had been telling them was all lies, but of course they 'knew' that much. Some of the assignments he'd sent them on were nothing but ruthless criminal like assignments anyway. His real name was Michel Stark. Jared Starks very rich very ruthless brother. The info said that his brother Jared was connected with a group known as Chrysalis. Whose main goal was world domination.

She and Stephen had taken the information to Michel asking what he wanted done with the info. His response for their troubles, "don't you know by now that world domination is also 'our' goal. If you have any quarrel with that I can help you to settle that once and for all."

Michel had motioned to two or more of his men who they both knew were into extreme and painful torture. Michel liked dealing with insubordinates with torture. One of the men had been in meetings with Michel all day. His name … Sam he had an especially cruel, evil and delighted look about him at the offer, unlike the others who looked a bit squeamish. Their decision was made easily 'for' them. World domination was the best choice.

It was either that or die by torture by the hands of Sam. They hadn't been much on being the good guys of late anyway. Neither of them even knew if they remembered what that even was anymore.


Stephen was Michel's best man in the field and he knew if anyone would come through he would.
But if not Michel would take care of Fawkes himself if he had, too.

Stephen had been placed at the Bed & Breakfast as soon as the official made the call for Mr. Vorton's men to return from Salt Lake. Stephen was given a latex mask supplied of course by Michel's connections.


Stephen sat in the Salt Lake international airport looking for the man who matched the description of the photo he held in his hand of one Stephen Charles. A few moments later a man matching his description entered the men's restroom only to meet face to face with himself. Stephen Richards under the assumed name of Stephen Charles was then the only one to exit. The body had been stuffed in the air duct for safe keeping till the clean-up crew arrived.

Stephen Charles had been named as one of the best. He was Fred's best agent. Fred had expressed to the official that if it was protection you want Stephen was the best. So in response to Fred's request Stephen was requested by the official to be over all security and Mr. Fawkes' safety during his stay. It was a perfect set up almost too perfect.


TBC….
Input and Ideas accepted.
Feedback is always welcome.
More will be coming just be patient…