Part four
Disclosure and other notes: See previous chapters.
The Storm Part Four
Over the next several weeks, Bobby and Claire worked as hard as they could around the clock to get Darien up and around again. While at the same time Alex, Bobby in his spare time, and Fred were all working on different leads to get Chrysalis and whoever else was involved.
Alex was going nowhere with her usual leads. They all said that Chrysalis was involved, though none of them knew exactly how. Bobby and Fred were working with Fred's friend still the same thing, going nowhere.
It had been some time and everyone decided they needed to get up to speed where they were at this point. It was decided to meet in the lobby. Finding none of them, Darien sat in anger in the overstuffed chair in the corner of the room. Most of his wounds had healed, though his leg and knee were coming along slower than he would've liked among some of his other more serious injuries. He got up from the chair, grabbed the crutches and hobbled across the room as fast as he could, which was not very given his current condition.
Hobbes stopped him before he could get very far. "Hey Fawkes, we're gonna get these guys whoever, and wherever they are?"
"You wanna know who they are Hobbes? All right, I'll tell ya who they are. They're a bunch of creeps I knew from prison. The woman, I don't know who she was, but the rest of 'em, I knew them all right. They used to use me for their guinea pig all the time. On a good day they would even use me for target practice when they felt the need. I was their little piece of meat to push around any time they wanted.
I vowed a long time ago when 'hawk' told me to kill that dude and sent me along to Big Butch to get beat up because I wouldn't kill him. That I was never gonna let them do that to me again. That's why I took Luther's damn candy bar to begin with, to show them that they didn't win. But no, they still came after me Hobbes. Over a FREAKIN' candy bar!"
"Hey partner, it's okay we're gonna get these guys." Bobby put a consoling hand on his partners back as Claire walked up behind them.
"Bobby? Darien? Is everything alright?" She turned her head to see Darien's face. It was darkened and sunk in with anger, fear and exhaustion.
"It will be Claire, once we get these guys. For now I think Fawkes here could use some rest." Bobby said as he tried to help Darien to the stairs.
"I think I'd have to agree with you there Bobby." Bobby and Claire helped Darien up the stairs to his room. Once there, Darien collapsed onto the bed wincing at the ever-present pain flowing through his body.
Hobbes turned to leave, but was stopped by a pleading Darien.
"Hobbes, I need to talk to ya man." Bobby walked over and sat in the chair next to his partner. Claire sat next to Darien on the bed as she put the IV line back in for his antibiotics and pain meds.
"Go ahead my friend. Bobby Hobbes is all ears."
Darien thought back to that night before he began. It was time to give his friends what they needed. The truth about what happened that night. If only he could get out the right words and keep himself from going completely insane over those horrible memories.
"First, of all this being over a candy bar, that isn't exactly true." Bobby looked at Claire who then laid a hand on his arm. "Its okay Darien, just tell us what happened?" Claire said.
Feeling confident enough he began. "Hobbes here, he dropped me off pretty late. We'd been on a stakeout that had been a TOTAL waste of time. The guy never even bothered to show. Early in the night Hobbes got pretty bored, I guess, but then so did I. He ended up talkin' to some dude he said he used to work with. I'd been kinda passed out most of the time seeing as how this stakeout thing was so BORING! Well, anyway, finally after what seemed like an extremely long night Bobby decides to take me home. Said we'd try again the next day. He drops me off. I say thanks. He asked me if I was sure I didn't want an escort to my door."
"I forgot about that part, guess Bobby Hobbes knew somethin' was up after all." Bobby interrupted.
"Hobbes! I'm trying." Darien shot Bobby a furious glare.
"Go ahead my friend, sorry about that." Bobby folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in the chair.
"Anyway, I started up the stairs to my place. It was quite a bit darker than usual, but it was raining and all so I figured the power had gone out or somethin'. I get to my place and the hallway was pretty much pitch black." Darien's memories began to flow as images of that night flooded through his mind like machine gun fire, each as rapid and painful as the next.
Darien walked up the stairs to his apartment. The hallway was dark except for a small crackling light bulb at the end of the hall. He inserted the key into the keyhole as a dark figure crept up behind him.
"How have ya been Fawkes?" Darien Quicksilvered as the shock, fear and horror of the memories of that voice came to the present. Sammy had been one of the guys sent to help when Darien had been sent to big butch that time in prison.
Sammy walked over laying a hand on the Quicksilvered Darien, he just laughed in sheer mockery. "Well, well Fawkes, I was wondering when you'd show us your little trick." Darien looked around there was three others and a woman standing around him with thermal glasses and guns.
"Fawkes, why don't you just make it easy on yourself and let us in. Then we won't have to be disturbing your lovely neighbors here. Alright?" Sammy stood watching Darien with a nightstick folded across his arm. Fawkes desilvered and reached for the door as he did a long knife slid across his hand causing blood to trickle down onto the door knob.
"Hey man!" Fawkes turned in pain and shock as he entered his apartment gripping his bleeding hand.
"What was that for!"
"Well, Fawkes that was for the main man, he ain't too happy with you these days."
Bridgett walked over to the kitchen cabinet where she laid her thermals. She leaned on the counter and laid her gun beside her on the countertop. She watched these guys never quite understanding what this guy had done. Oh well, she thought. The guy was a job nonetheless. If they didn't do it Michel would be sure to have their heads.
"Who's your boss Sammy? Same as always Big Butch? I didn't do nothin' to him. Fact is, as I remember it you and Butch had the time of your life last time in prison putting me in the infirmary."
Sammy walked over to Darien and pushed him to a kitchen chair where Charlie came over and tied him down with a rope he had brought.
"Well Fawkes, actually my 'boss' as you so boldly put it, is an old friend of yours. I'm surprised you don't remember him." Darien looked at the man confused clenching his bleeding hand, which had gone numb by now.
"Aw! Fawkes! You don't remember Michel?" Darien shook his head frantically with worry. Sam looked at him in sheer contempt and pure control.
"Why Fawkes, he sure remembers you. Maybe this will help you remember."
Sammy took a bat from the pack Charlie was carrying and swung hitting him hard in the ribs. Seeing that wasn't enough he took a pistol and pistol- whipped him across the face. Darien spat and sputtered blood from his mouth as the realization was just now hitting him that this was more than some payback deal they pretended this to be.
Darien looked over at Luther once he had enough composure back. "Hey Luther, this ain't because I stole your Butterfinger still now is it?" Luther shook his head.
Darien laughed painfully as the pain in his ribs still taunted him. "Aw Luther, Luther, Luther, this is because I lead you and Russell here to the guards six months ago isn't it?"
Luther shook his head, walked over and directed Sammy to give him another good hit in the ribs for that. Darien coughed as the pain seared through him. "Well Fawkes, I should be mad over that and maybe that is part of it. But, you'll never know, what I 'will' say is that the boss talked me into helping him out, without much convincing I might add. Because Fawkes, of 'all' your mess ups, Michel says you've messed up one too many times where he is concerned." Darien looked at him still confused.
Luther walked over yanking back Darien's head by the hair so he could see him. "Oh, I'm gonna love this! I guess you wouldn't know Michel by his 'real' name. Now, hawk that is a name I know even 'you' would remember."
Darien struggled to get away once he heard hawks name mentioned. Hawk would just as soon kill him as look at him. He'd crossed him in prison and he knew it. Darien closed his eyes, thinking of how he was going to get himself 'out' of the mess he was in. He could Quicksilver, breaking the ropes, but then his torture session would just be worse for him. For one thing he could just end up dead all that much sooner. These guys did still have their thermals on after all.
Luther laughed and walked over to Sammy. "Make it slow and excruciating Sammy, we want Michel to be pleased. And remember just hurt him, don't kill him!"
"Aw, Luther! What's the matter you don't have the balls to kill me?" Darien scoffed.
Luther turned back to him backhanding Darien across the face. Darien licked at the new cut on his lip.
"Well, Fawkes I'll tell ya I think Michel wants to save that for himself. On the other hand, maybe he just wants you to suffer before you die. To look into the eyes of the man that defeated you, Fawkes. Cause there ain't no way you're gonna get away from Michel no matter how hard you try. But hey, I'm only guessin' Michel says that all I need to know is that you'll pay for what you've done. And that I'll get to help when he's ready." Luther paced around the chair then signaled to Sammy to do something the only thing was, what?
Before Darien could respond to Luther's comments Sammy pulled out a long intimidating knife from his pack. Darien's eyes shot open, the fear causing him to once again Quicksilver. Sammy stuck the knife in his shoulder letting it tear along the flesh of his hand and arm on the way there. Quicksilver droplets appeared on Sammy's skin and the floor beneath Darien's chair. The ropes fell to the floor. Russell grabbed Charlie by the arm, dragging him over to the broken ropes on the floor he pointed to them in anger. "Chaz! I thought you said these things would last through anything?" Russell demanded.
"They do, they do I just didn't know what to expect with him."
As Darien desilvered Sammy backhanded him across the face. "You. do . not. go . see through. unless. I tell you to go .see through, you got that!" Sammy raised the knife again, sliding it down Darien's legs causing blood to trickle to the floor in the growing pool beneath him. The pain had become numb, it didn't matter anymore what they did to him.
"Just tell me one thing Luther." Luther walked over interrupting Sammy's fun. "And what would that be Fawkes?"
"Well Luther, If I'm going to sit here and let you guys make a pin cushion and punching bag out of me I want to know WHY! I mean why ALL OF THIS Luther? I want to know! Why?"
Luther walked around him letting his hand caress Darien's face, head, and hair, ending at Darien's face he punched him in the jaw, then picked up a piece of rope from the floor. Wrapping it around Darien's neck he began to choke. Sammy came forward taking over giving Darien just enough slack that it wouldn't kill him.
"You want to know the reason Fawkes? Well, let me see." Luther thought for a minute.
"The truth?"
Darien had a look of fear steal across his face at the look in Luther's eyes. He was barely able to speak but speak he did however inaudible it was. "The truth would be nice."
"Thought so! Don't worry!" Luther could see the signs of fear forming around Darien's eyes. "Hawk, don't want us to kill you just yet, like I said. Make you want us to, but no, we ain't gonna go that far just yet Fawkes. But, here it is anyway. Our friend Michel says you messed with his brother one too many times. You want to know Michel's full name Fawkes? He says you should know it." Darien looked at the man puzzled. His brows furrowed and his chest rose and fell with difficulty.
"His name is Michel Garrison Stark."
Darien's hart raced. He Quicksilvered his neck, breaking the last bit of rope around his throat. He stood almost with no effort as the anger for all that the Stark name represented over came him. Sammy laughed, "What do you think you're trying to do, huh Fawkesy?" Sammy took a bat from the pack hitting Darien's right leg as hard as he could with it. Darien screamed out in agony as he felt the kneecap separate and the bones in his upper leg and shin break as the bat connected to them.
Darien lay on the floor, when Sammy leaned over to see if he was still conscious. Darien laid his Quicksilvered hand on Sammy's thermals breaking them into a million pieces. Sammy screamed as they fell from his face. Bridgett watched almost stunned at what this 'invisible man' was really made of. He was stronger than most of the guys she'd helped Stephen with. No, this one wasn't going to give in so easily as 'they' had.
Luther, Russell, and Chaz each ran over. Chaz lifted him from the floor while Luther went over to give him a lesson he would not soon forget. Darien Quicksilvered his hand struggling with Chaz he was able to freeze his thermals. Chaz screamed in anger and shock. As the thermals fell from his face, he lost his hold on Darien.
As Luther was about to pay Fawkes back for that, they all froze when Bridgett's cell phone rang out.
She looked around at everyone looking at 'her'. "What?" She said motioning to herself not knowing what was wrong. Then she heard it.
She lifted her cell from her hip pocket.
"Hello?"
"Bridgett my dear is everything under control?" Michel asked.
"Yes, yes it is sir!" Even as she said it Darien Quicksilvered himself, but as he did Sammy swung the bat connecting it with his back. Then he connected a few more to his ribs. Before Darien was able to completely quicksilver and get away from him, he went around the room on sheer adrenaline breaking all of the thermal glasses left. And, getting a few punches of his own off as payback. He finished by grabbing Bridgett's thermals and gun, who was still on her cell so she didn't have time to react.
Darien picked up a vase, hitting Sammy over the head with it. Who fell to the floor. Then Darien himself finally collapsed. The adrenaline had subsided, so as quickly as he could he dragged himself Quicksilvered inside the bathroom grabbing and Quicksilvering the bat that was lying on the floor on the way. Darien was afraid that if Sammy woke up he would kill him this time. So, locking himself in the bathroom he pulled out his cell, no one had bothered to take, and dialed Bobby as quickly as his injuries would let him..
All of this unbeknownst to Michel, he continued his conversation with Bridgett. "Bridgett, would you please have Russell and Luther take that note I gave you to Mr. Hobbes apartment now? I want 'you' however to come back here. Sam and Charlie can finish taking care of Fawkes as I've asked them to." Bridgett hung up the phone told the group what was going on and left with Luther and Russell.
"I'm gonna kill you Fawkes I don't care what Luther says. You hear me Fawkes! I'm gonna kill you." Someone said from outside the bathroom door while trying to beat it in.
Darien was extremely battered, exhausted, and frightened by this time. This showed in his voice when Bobby finally picked up.
"Fawkes this better not be you."
"Hello to you too Bobby" Darien said while trying not to drop the phone from his weakened state.
Muffled screams of anger continued outside Darien's bathroom door.
"Alright what is it? And don't tell me you need counteragent 'cause we took care of that yesterday. Or is it still today?"
"Bobby I."
Darien's voice trailed off and he shook as he came back to the present with fear showing across his face...
"Okay Darien. What happened next?" Bobby became very apprehensive.
"I . I." The tears ran when the words wouldn't come.
"Bobby, don't! He needs to rest. And, as you can see I think that's quite enough for today." Claire shot Bobby an angry glare.
"I know keep, but he ." Bobby paused looking at the sleeping form of his partner and friend. He would have to wait for the rest of the answers, but at least now he had an idea as to why. But, Chrysalis? Yeah, he knew they were involved, but this. this was nothing even he 'didn't' expect. What with his paranoia and all, this was beyond 'anything' he had imagined.
Fred walked along the path to the Gazebo Control Center. Stephen followed. He needed to be sure that no one knew anything too soon. They walked in the door to find an e-mail from some of Fred's contacts they had turned up empty yet again. That was nothing new they had been coming up empty for weeks now.
The red phone began to ring. This phone only rang for extreme emergencies, that is, usually. Stephen's heart began pounding so hard he was afraid it was going to jump through his throat. He stood motionless as Fred Vorton picked up the receiver.
He withdrew his gun from its holster. Ready to fire if need be. Stephen stood with his back against the wall directly behind Fred.
"Hey Charlie what's so important you had to call me on this line?"
"Fred is anyone there with you?" The 'fish' asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"Don't say anything just answer with a yes or a no. Unless you can think of something else." The Official ordered with fear in his voice.
"Okay, so how 'was' that fishing trip of yours Charlie?" Fred was grasping at straws at what to say, but he was sure this would work. It had before anyway.
"You need to keep as quiet as you can, only yourself and my team are to know anything about this for the time being."
"Aw Charlie my friend you caught ya a big one? I know Bobby's gonna be upset about that one my friend." Fred said in response.
"We found the body of a Stephen Charles at the airport. Wasn't he that Body guard of yours you wanted in charge of security?" The 'fish' asked.
"Yeah! Oh and Charlie you know that fish you thought was gone for good. Well, I got an exact replica of the thing right here."
The Official got nervous as he realized what Fred was saying. "Are you saying what I think you are?"
"Sure am Charlie, in fact I think the little bugger was right behind me in the boat last week."
"So he's there behind you then?"
"Yep, sure is!"
"Is he armed?" The 'fish' asked.
Fred looked in the shiny surface in front of him. Stephen looked around trying to make it look like he was watching Fred's back.
"Yeah, I'm afraid so Charlie! That fish will be pretty tough to catch my friend. Maybe I'll see if Bobby wants to go with me and we'll try to catch it for ya. How about that my friend?"
"Good, good get Bobby, but don't by any means let on to this guy that you know anything? And Fred whatever you do keep Darien away from this guy. We do not want 'him' to end up in the wrong hands. I want my agents alive not sitting on some guy's mantle as a souvenir. Which is what will happen if we don't do something quick Fred! And Fred. Good Luck!"
"Sure thing talk to ya later." Fred hung up the phone and was about to leave when a tranquilizer gun fired and knocked Fred back to his chair. He looked around in astonishment. "What."
Stephen walked over to Fred, holstered the gun and watched as Fred fell to the floor unconscious.
"You thought I wouldn't figure out what you two were talking about. You were wrong Fred! You see I know all the code speech. This one was relatively simple something even Michel could have figured out. Although I don't think I'm going to continue to work for Michel any longer. Even so, I can't have you going around telling everyone that I'm an imposter. I'll have to move you at a more appropriate time Mr. Vorton. For now you'll have to make yourself comfortable right here."
Bridgett drove up the long driveway to the Gardens Bed & Breakfast only to be met by a couple of agents posted for guard duty.
"Hey guys! I'm Charlotte, I'm here to see Stevie, he around?" Bridgett asked while loudly chewing on a piece of gum and talking through her nose, but not too much she didn't want to sound like she was a TOTAL airhead.
"Just a minute ma'am!" One of the agents said holding his hand out to prevent her from going any further. The other agent picked up his two-way radio.
Alex was still sitting in the lobby when her radio came to life. She picked it up screaming something incoherent into the speaker about not being disturbed unless it was an emergency and all of that.
"Ma'am, 'er Miss Monroe? There's a woman by the name of Charlotte out here she says she's here to see Agent Charles."
"Be right there!" Alex said as she ran toward the door.
Meanwhile the agent at the gate told Charlotte that an agent would be with her shortly. She just sighed and acted as if the whole thing was boring her to death.
Stephen was about to walk in the main house at the exact moment Alex was running out while talking into her radio, when they collided.
"Oh Stephen! I was about to go look for you. Agent Conroy says there's a woman out front by the name of Charlotte. She says she knows you. Is that true?" Alex had stopped in the doorway as she talked to Stephen.
"Charlottes here?!" Stephen acted like he was surprised, but in reality he wasn't at all. That was one of the reasons Michel used him so much. He was good at faking his emotions when he needed to.
"So you know her then?" Alex asked surprised and a bit put off. She so wanted to catch someone at 'something' anything. She had been cooped up, in this place long enough.
"Yeah. yeah in fact she's my little sister. What is she doing here? Is something wrong?" Stephen responded with false concern.
"I don't really know! I'll go let her in then we'll see."
"Agent Monroe?"
"Yes?" Alex answered.
"I'll be in the lobby."
"Okay, I'll let her know." Alex looked down the path seeing Charlotte and agent Conroy talking intently. Mostly it looked like miss Charlotte was trying to get herself a date.
"Agent Conroy go ahead and let her in" Alex said into her two-way radio.
Alex watched the young woman from the hill. She was cute but not too cute. She was a bit too stiff for her liking. Quite like Stephen she guessed. But then, they 'were' related. As Bridgett got out of the car, a chill went up Alex's spine. This woman made her nervous, but she had no idea as to why, she just did.
Alex and Charlotte walked into the lobby exchanging words or at least putting on the false façade of trying to get along. When they both knew they didn't care at all for one another. Alex thought she had seen the woman before, but wasn't sure as to where.
"Thank you agent Monroe." The girl said in disrespect.
"Yeah, no problem." Alex left and went upstairs to get on her computer and look through her files. Finding nothing, she got online to see what she could find from all of her usual places.nothing. There was just something about this woman. She shrugged it off and went to find Bobby maybe he could find something out that she couldn't. Though she would never admit to Bobby she needed his help. He would just have to think she was a colleague sharing info.
Stephen ushered Bridgett into a side room downstairs. "Hey 'Charlotte'! I need you to help me hide Fred Vorton, I tranqed him, he's unconscious in the Gazebo out back."
"Stephen we weren't sent here to knock anybody out just yet. We were sent to. you know why we were sent." Bridgett glared at him. Sure, she hated what Michel expected them to do here, especially after seeing what Darien Fawkes was capable of.
I know that Bridge. I mean, Charlotte but I got something you need to see before we go doing 'anything' Michel says. Just help me get the guy to a little place I found up the road, okay?"
"Yeah okay, but I don't know if this is such a good idea Stephen." Bridgett said following Stephen out the door reluctantly.
"Good idea or not I need to stash this guy and what I found out your not going to like so c'mon let's get this guy out of here. So we can get back here and I can show you something I'm sure you'll find interesting." They lifted Fred out of the gazebo and down to Bridgett's car. Luckily Stephen had already gotten rid of most of the agents for the night or this would have been a 'real' problem.
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Having been unable to find Bobby, Alex went to her room and readied herself for bed. She was restless and uneasy about that dang woman. Stephen said she was his sister. She walked to the window hoping the night air would help her to figure it out. As she looked down at the grounds, she could see what looked like Charlotte and Stephen carrying a body across the grounds to Charlotte's car.
Not thinking to change, Alex ran downstairs to see what was happening, but was met by Bridgett who had spotted her at the window. Bridgett acted casual hiding her hands behind her back where she was holding a tranquilizer gun. Alex watched her cautiously. She knew she was up to something.
"Have you seen Stevie, Alex?"
"No, I thought he was with you in the lobby?"
"Nope!" Bridgett raised the gun only to be blocked by Alex's arm. Alex grabbed one arm and hit the other arm holding the tranq gun against the wall. The gun fell to the floor. Alex turned leaned over to the floor grabbing for the gun. Bridgett grabbed her from behind almost tackling her, before she could get to the gun. As she did so, Alex stumbled and kicked the gun. Alex stepped back giving Bridgett an elbow in the ribs. Alex reached out again. Bridgett kicked Alex to the floor giving her a chop to the back of the head, Bridgett grabbed the gun. Turning Alex over on her back and straddling her so Alex could see the face of her attacker.
"What are you planning on doing?" Alex asked looking down the barrel of the tranquilizer gun.
"Actually . I was thinking that maybe, just maybe I would FIRE it at YOU!!!" Bridgett screamed in pure hate. She pistol-whipped Alex across the face. Alex pleaded with her she told her she would go with her. She was trying to get her trust, but little did she know that, that was going nowhere fast.
"Well, Alex I'd believe you if I didn't know you as well as I do." Alex looked at her confused. Bridgett cocked her head. "Don't remember huh? Oh well!" She said as she sat back and fired hitting Alex in the gut. Alex fell limp, the fight was over. Bridgett got up and stood over Alex pointing the gun towards the floor with one hand. Cocking her head, she walked around the lifeless form looking on at her in disbelief.
"You know you really should remember me Alex. I think that I should be hurt you don't remember. I guess I'll have to remind you who I am some time."
Bridgett holstered the gun and dragged the unconscious form of Alex Monroe along the path to the car. Stephen finished hiding Fred in the back of the car and had been waiting for Bridgett for what seemed like forever. She had gone inside for something, but hadn't told him why. Stephen saw Bridgett trying to drag Alex, but struggling at the effort and ran to her aid.
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A little over a half an hour later they finished stashing them at the top of a cliff behind a water station. It was a narrow, wet ledge and one wrong move and they would be swimming in the river below.
But, Bridgett and Stephen had secured them well enough so they weren't worried too much about that. What they 'did' worry about was an excuse as to where Alex and Fred were and Fred's wife Genie. She would be missing him soon.
Before they left Bridgett hit Alex across the face with the butt of a gun.
"Hey Bridgett what?" Stephen started to ask confused.
"She was my partner, I taught her everything she knows." Bridgett Commented. Then under her breath she whispered. "She never even tried to convince me to stay, damn her. She didn't even try to convince me that you were wrong." Tears were in the back of her eyes. She fought hard to keep them there. She hadn't wanted Stephen to hear her but he had.
Walking over he threw an arm around her trying to console her the best he knew how. "I'm sorry Bridgett. I really am." Bridgett shook him off. "C'mon let's get on with this we don't have time to reminisce about old times and what if's."
Bridgett reached up checking the ropes on their hostages. They were both still quite unconscious. She grabbed Alex by the chin. "I'll see you later my dear, dear partner!" She spat out spitting in her face. She threw her face from her hand and carefully walked around the ledge to the safety of the ground above.
Stephen and Bridgett left ready to do some 'very' heavy convincing.
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TBC....feedback welcomed. Thanks for the help from my beta, those beta's are wonderful.
Disclosure and other notes: See previous chapters.
The Storm Part Four
Over the next several weeks, Bobby and Claire worked as hard as they could around the clock to get Darien up and around again. While at the same time Alex, Bobby in his spare time, and Fred were all working on different leads to get Chrysalis and whoever else was involved.
Alex was going nowhere with her usual leads. They all said that Chrysalis was involved, though none of them knew exactly how. Bobby and Fred were working with Fred's friend still the same thing, going nowhere.
It had been some time and everyone decided they needed to get up to speed where they were at this point. It was decided to meet in the lobby. Finding none of them, Darien sat in anger in the overstuffed chair in the corner of the room. Most of his wounds had healed, though his leg and knee were coming along slower than he would've liked among some of his other more serious injuries. He got up from the chair, grabbed the crutches and hobbled across the room as fast as he could, which was not very given his current condition.
Hobbes stopped him before he could get very far. "Hey Fawkes, we're gonna get these guys whoever, and wherever they are?"
"You wanna know who they are Hobbes? All right, I'll tell ya who they are. They're a bunch of creeps I knew from prison. The woman, I don't know who she was, but the rest of 'em, I knew them all right. They used to use me for their guinea pig all the time. On a good day they would even use me for target practice when they felt the need. I was their little piece of meat to push around any time they wanted.
I vowed a long time ago when 'hawk' told me to kill that dude and sent me along to Big Butch to get beat up because I wouldn't kill him. That I was never gonna let them do that to me again. That's why I took Luther's damn candy bar to begin with, to show them that they didn't win. But no, they still came after me Hobbes. Over a FREAKIN' candy bar!"
"Hey partner, it's okay we're gonna get these guys." Bobby put a consoling hand on his partners back as Claire walked up behind them.
"Bobby? Darien? Is everything alright?" She turned her head to see Darien's face. It was darkened and sunk in with anger, fear and exhaustion.
"It will be Claire, once we get these guys. For now I think Fawkes here could use some rest." Bobby said as he tried to help Darien to the stairs.
"I think I'd have to agree with you there Bobby." Bobby and Claire helped Darien up the stairs to his room. Once there, Darien collapsed onto the bed wincing at the ever-present pain flowing through his body.
Hobbes turned to leave, but was stopped by a pleading Darien.
"Hobbes, I need to talk to ya man." Bobby walked over and sat in the chair next to his partner. Claire sat next to Darien on the bed as she put the IV line back in for his antibiotics and pain meds.
"Go ahead my friend. Bobby Hobbes is all ears."
Darien thought back to that night before he began. It was time to give his friends what they needed. The truth about what happened that night. If only he could get out the right words and keep himself from going completely insane over those horrible memories.
"First, of all this being over a candy bar, that isn't exactly true." Bobby looked at Claire who then laid a hand on his arm. "Its okay Darien, just tell us what happened?" Claire said.
Feeling confident enough he began. "Hobbes here, he dropped me off pretty late. We'd been on a stakeout that had been a TOTAL waste of time. The guy never even bothered to show. Early in the night Hobbes got pretty bored, I guess, but then so did I. He ended up talkin' to some dude he said he used to work with. I'd been kinda passed out most of the time seeing as how this stakeout thing was so BORING! Well, anyway, finally after what seemed like an extremely long night Bobby decides to take me home. Said we'd try again the next day. He drops me off. I say thanks. He asked me if I was sure I didn't want an escort to my door."
"I forgot about that part, guess Bobby Hobbes knew somethin' was up after all." Bobby interrupted.
"Hobbes! I'm trying." Darien shot Bobby a furious glare.
"Go ahead my friend, sorry about that." Bobby folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in the chair.
"Anyway, I started up the stairs to my place. It was quite a bit darker than usual, but it was raining and all so I figured the power had gone out or somethin'. I get to my place and the hallway was pretty much pitch black." Darien's memories began to flow as images of that night flooded through his mind like machine gun fire, each as rapid and painful as the next.
Darien walked up the stairs to his apartment. The hallway was dark except for a small crackling light bulb at the end of the hall. He inserted the key into the keyhole as a dark figure crept up behind him.
"How have ya been Fawkes?" Darien Quicksilvered as the shock, fear and horror of the memories of that voice came to the present. Sammy had been one of the guys sent to help when Darien had been sent to big butch that time in prison.
Sammy walked over laying a hand on the Quicksilvered Darien, he just laughed in sheer mockery. "Well, well Fawkes, I was wondering when you'd show us your little trick." Darien looked around there was three others and a woman standing around him with thermal glasses and guns.
"Fawkes, why don't you just make it easy on yourself and let us in. Then we won't have to be disturbing your lovely neighbors here. Alright?" Sammy stood watching Darien with a nightstick folded across his arm. Fawkes desilvered and reached for the door as he did a long knife slid across his hand causing blood to trickle down onto the door knob.
"Hey man!" Fawkes turned in pain and shock as he entered his apartment gripping his bleeding hand.
"What was that for!"
"Well, Fawkes that was for the main man, he ain't too happy with you these days."
Bridgett walked over to the kitchen cabinet where she laid her thermals. She leaned on the counter and laid her gun beside her on the countertop. She watched these guys never quite understanding what this guy had done. Oh well, she thought. The guy was a job nonetheless. If they didn't do it Michel would be sure to have their heads.
"Who's your boss Sammy? Same as always Big Butch? I didn't do nothin' to him. Fact is, as I remember it you and Butch had the time of your life last time in prison putting me in the infirmary."
Sammy walked over to Darien and pushed him to a kitchen chair where Charlie came over and tied him down with a rope he had brought.
"Well Fawkes, actually my 'boss' as you so boldly put it, is an old friend of yours. I'm surprised you don't remember him." Darien looked at the man confused clenching his bleeding hand, which had gone numb by now.
"Aw! Fawkes! You don't remember Michel?" Darien shook his head frantically with worry. Sam looked at him in sheer contempt and pure control.
"Why Fawkes, he sure remembers you. Maybe this will help you remember."
Sammy took a bat from the pack Charlie was carrying and swung hitting him hard in the ribs. Seeing that wasn't enough he took a pistol and pistol- whipped him across the face. Darien spat and sputtered blood from his mouth as the realization was just now hitting him that this was more than some payback deal they pretended this to be.
Darien looked over at Luther once he had enough composure back. "Hey Luther, this ain't because I stole your Butterfinger still now is it?" Luther shook his head.
Darien laughed painfully as the pain in his ribs still taunted him. "Aw Luther, Luther, Luther, this is because I lead you and Russell here to the guards six months ago isn't it?"
Luther shook his head, walked over and directed Sammy to give him another good hit in the ribs for that. Darien coughed as the pain seared through him. "Well Fawkes, I should be mad over that and maybe that is part of it. But, you'll never know, what I 'will' say is that the boss talked me into helping him out, without much convincing I might add. Because Fawkes, of 'all' your mess ups, Michel says you've messed up one too many times where he is concerned." Darien looked at him still confused.
Luther walked over yanking back Darien's head by the hair so he could see him. "Oh, I'm gonna love this! I guess you wouldn't know Michel by his 'real' name. Now, hawk that is a name I know even 'you' would remember."
Darien struggled to get away once he heard hawks name mentioned. Hawk would just as soon kill him as look at him. He'd crossed him in prison and he knew it. Darien closed his eyes, thinking of how he was going to get himself 'out' of the mess he was in. He could Quicksilver, breaking the ropes, but then his torture session would just be worse for him. For one thing he could just end up dead all that much sooner. These guys did still have their thermals on after all.
Luther laughed and walked over to Sammy. "Make it slow and excruciating Sammy, we want Michel to be pleased. And remember just hurt him, don't kill him!"
"Aw, Luther! What's the matter you don't have the balls to kill me?" Darien scoffed.
Luther turned back to him backhanding Darien across the face. Darien licked at the new cut on his lip.
"Well, Fawkes I'll tell ya I think Michel wants to save that for himself. On the other hand, maybe he just wants you to suffer before you die. To look into the eyes of the man that defeated you, Fawkes. Cause there ain't no way you're gonna get away from Michel no matter how hard you try. But hey, I'm only guessin' Michel says that all I need to know is that you'll pay for what you've done. And that I'll get to help when he's ready." Luther paced around the chair then signaled to Sammy to do something the only thing was, what?
Before Darien could respond to Luther's comments Sammy pulled out a long intimidating knife from his pack. Darien's eyes shot open, the fear causing him to once again Quicksilver. Sammy stuck the knife in his shoulder letting it tear along the flesh of his hand and arm on the way there. Quicksilver droplets appeared on Sammy's skin and the floor beneath Darien's chair. The ropes fell to the floor. Russell grabbed Charlie by the arm, dragging him over to the broken ropes on the floor he pointed to them in anger. "Chaz! I thought you said these things would last through anything?" Russell demanded.
"They do, they do I just didn't know what to expect with him."
As Darien desilvered Sammy backhanded him across the face. "You. do . not. go . see through. unless. I tell you to go .see through, you got that!" Sammy raised the knife again, sliding it down Darien's legs causing blood to trickle to the floor in the growing pool beneath him. The pain had become numb, it didn't matter anymore what they did to him.
"Just tell me one thing Luther." Luther walked over interrupting Sammy's fun. "And what would that be Fawkes?"
"Well Luther, If I'm going to sit here and let you guys make a pin cushion and punching bag out of me I want to know WHY! I mean why ALL OF THIS Luther? I want to know! Why?"
Luther walked around him letting his hand caress Darien's face, head, and hair, ending at Darien's face he punched him in the jaw, then picked up a piece of rope from the floor. Wrapping it around Darien's neck he began to choke. Sammy came forward taking over giving Darien just enough slack that it wouldn't kill him.
"You want to know the reason Fawkes? Well, let me see." Luther thought for a minute.
"The truth?"
Darien had a look of fear steal across his face at the look in Luther's eyes. He was barely able to speak but speak he did however inaudible it was. "The truth would be nice."
"Thought so! Don't worry!" Luther could see the signs of fear forming around Darien's eyes. "Hawk, don't want us to kill you just yet, like I said. Make you want us to, but no, we ain't gonna go that far just yet Fawkes. But, here it is anyway. Our friend Michel says you messed with his brother one too many times. You want to know Michel's full name Fawkes? He says you should know it." Darien looked at the man puzzled. His brows furrowed and his chest rose and fell with difficulty.
"His name is Michel Garrison Stark."
Darien's hart raced. He Quicksilvered his neck, breaking the last bit of rope around his throat. He stood almost with no effort as the anger for all that the Stark name represented over came him. Sammy laughed, "What do you think you're trying to do, huh Fawkesy?" Sammy took a bat from the pack hitting Darien's right leg as hard as he could with it. Darien screamed out in agony as he felt the kneecap separate and the bones in his upper leg and shin break as the bat connected to them.
Darien lay on the floor, when Sammy leaned over to see if he was still conscious. Darien laid his Quicksilvered hand on Sammy's thermals breaking them into a million pieces. Sammy screamed as they fell from his face. Bridgett watched almost stunned at what this 'invisible man' was really made of. He was stronger than most of the guys she'd helped Stephen with. No, this one wasn't going to give in so easily as 'they' had.
Luther, Russell, and Chaz each ran over. Chaz lifted him from the floor while Luther went over to give him a lesson he would not soon forget. Darien Quicksilvered his hand struggling with Chaz he was able to freeze his thermals. Chaz screamed in anger and shock. As the thermals fell from his face, he lost his hold on Darien.
As Luther was about to pay Fawkes back for that, they all froze when Bridgett's cell phone rang out.
She looked around at everyone looking at 'her'. "What?" She said motioning to herself not knowing what was wrong. Then she heard it.
She lifted her cell from her hip pocket.
"Hello?"
"Bridgett my dear is everything under control?" Michel asked.
"Yes, yes it is sir!" Even as she said it Darien Quicksilvered himself, but as he did Sammy swung the bat connecting it with his back. Then he connected a few more to his ribs. Before Darien was able to completely quicksilver and get away from him, he went around the room on sheer adrenaline breaking all of the thermal glasses left. And, getting a few punches of his own off as payback. He finished by grabbing Bridgett's thermals and gun, who was still on her cell so she didn't have time to react.
Darien picked up a vase, hitting Sammy over the head with it. Who fell to the floor. Then Darien himself finally collapsed. The adrenaline had subsided, so as quickly as he could he dragged himself Quicksilvered inside the bathroom grabbing and Quicksilvering the bat that was lying on the floor on the way. Darien was afraid that if Sammy woke up he would kill him this time. So, locking himself in the bathroom he pulled out his cell, no one had bothered to take, and dialed Bobby as quickly as his injuries would let him..
All of this unbeknownst to Michel, he continued his conversation with Bridgett. "Bridgett, would you please have Russell and Luther take that note I gave you to Mr. Hobbes apartment now? I want 'you' however to come back here. Sam and Charlie can finish taking care of Fawkes as I've asked them to." Bridgett hung up the phone told the group what was going on and left with Luther and Russell.
"I'm gonna kill you Fawkes I don't care what Luther says. You hear me Fawkes! I'm gonna kill you." Someone said from outside the bathroom door while trying to beat it in.
Darien was extremely battered, exhausted, and frightened by this time. This showed in his voice when Bobby finally picked up.
"Fawkes this better not be you."
"Hello to you too Bobby" Darien said while trying not to drop the phone from his weakened state.
Muffled screams of anger continued outside Darien's bathroom door.
"Alright what is it? And don't tell me you need counteragent 'cause we took care of that yesterday. Or is it still today?"
"Bobby I."
Darien's voice trailed off and he shook as he came back to the present with fear showing across his face...
"Okay Darien. What happened next?" Bobby became very apprehensive.
"I . I." The tears ran when the words wouldn't come.
"Bobby, don't! He needs to rest. And, as you can see I think that's quite enough for today." Claire shot Bobby an angry glare.
"I know keep, but he ." Bobby paused looking at the sleeping form of his partner and friend. He would have to wait for the rest of the answers, but at least now he had an idea as to why. But, Chrysalis? Yeah, he knew they were involved, but this. this was nothing even he 'didn't' expect. What with his paranoia and all, this was beyond 'anything' he had imagined.
Fred walked along the path to the Gazebo Control Center. Stephen followed. He needed to be sure that no one knew anything too soon. They walked in the door to find an e-mail from some of Fred's contacts they had turned up empty yet again. That was nothing new they had been coming up empty for weeks now.
The red phone began to ring. This phone only rang for extreme emergencies, that is, usually. Stephen's heart began pounding so hard he was afraid it was going to jump through his throat. He stood motionless as Fred Vorton picked up the receiver.
He withdrew his gun from its holster. Ready to fire if need be. Stephen stood with his back against the wall directly behind Fred.
"Hey Charlie what's so important you had to call me on this line?"
"Fred is anyone there with you?" The 'fish' asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"Don't say anything just answer with a yes or a no. Unless you can think of something else." The Official ordered with fear in his voice.
"Okay, so how 'was' that fishing trip of yours Charlie?" Fred was grasping at straws at what to say, but he was sure this would work. It had before anyway.
"You need to keep as quiet as you can, only yourself and my team are to know anything about this for the time being."
"Aw Charlie my friend you caught ya a big one? I know Bobby's gonna be upset about that one my friend." Fred said in response.
"We found the body of a Stephen Charles at the airport. Wasn't he that Body guard of yours you wanted in charge of security?" The 'fish' asked.
"Yeah! Oh and Charlie you know that fish you thought was gone for good. Well, I got an exact replica of the thing right here."
The Official got nervous as he realized what Fred was saying. "Are you saying what I think you are?"
"Sure am Charlie, in fact I think the little bugger was right behind me in the boat last week."
"So he's there behind you then?"
"Yep, sure is!"
"Is he armed?" The 'fish' asked.
Fred looked in the shiny surface in front of him. Stephen looked around trying to make it look like he was watching Fred's back.
"Yeah, I'm afraid so Charlie! That fish will be pretty tough to catch my friend. Maybe I'll see if Bobby wants to go with me and we'll try to catch it for ya. How about that my friend?"
"Good, good get Bobby, but don't by any means let on to this guy that you know anything? And Fred whatever you do keep Darien away from this guy. We do not want 'him' to end up in the wrong hands. I want my agents alive not sitting on some guy's mantle as a souvenir. Which is what will happen if we don't do something quick Fred! And Fred. Good Luck!"
"Sure thing talk to ya later." Fred hung up the phone and was about to leave when a tranquilizer gun fired and knocked Fred back to his chair. He looked around in astonishment. "What."
Stephen walked over to Fred, holstered the gun and watched as Fred fell to the floor unconscious.
"You thought I wouldn't figure out what you two were talking about. You were wrong Fred! You see I know all the code speech. This one was relatively simple something even Michel could have figured out. Although I don't think I'm going to continue to work for Michel any longer. Even so, I can't have you going around telling everyone that I'm an imposter. I'll have to move you at a more appropriate time Mr. Vorton. For now you'll have to make yourself comfortable right here."
Bridgett drove up the long driveway to the Gardens Bed & Breakfast only to be met by a couple of agents posted for guard duty.
"Hey guys! I'm Charlotte, I'm here to see Stevie, he around?" Bridgett asked while loudly chewing on a piece of gum and talking through her nose, but not too much she didn't want to sound like she was a TOTAL airhead.
"Just a minute ma'am!" One of the agents said holding his hand out to prevent her from going any further. The other agent picked up his two-way radio.
Alex was still sitting in the lobby when her radio came to life. She picked it up screaming something incoherent into the speaker about not being disturbed unless it was an emergency and all of that.
"Ma'am, 'er Miss Monroe? There's a woman by the name of Charlotte out here she says she's here to see Agent Charles."
"Be right there!" Alex said as she ran toward the door.
Meanwhile the agent at the gate told Charlotte that an agent would be with her shortly. She just sighed and acted as if the whole thing was boring her to death.
Stephen was about to walk in the main house at the exact moment Alex was running out while talking into her radio, when they collided.
"Oh Stephen! I was about to go look for you. Agent Conroy says there's a woman out front by the name of Charlotte. She says she knows you. Is that true?" Alex had stopped in the doorway as she talked to Stephen.
"Charlottes here?!" Stephen acted like he was surprised, but in reality he wasn't at all. That was one of the reasons Michel used him so much. He was good at faking his emotions when he needed to.
"So you know her then?" Alex asked surprised and a bit put off. She so wanted to catch someone at 'something' anything. She had been cooped up, in this place long enough.
"Yeah. yeah in fact she's my little sister. What is she doing here? Is something wrong?" Stephen responded with false concern.
"I don't really know! I'll go let her in then we'll see."
"Agent Monroe?"
"Yes?" Alex answered.
"I'll be in the lobby."
"Okay, I'll let her know." Alex looked down the path seeing Charlotte and agent Conroy talking intently. Mostly it looked like miss Charlotte was trying to get herself a date.
"Agent Conroy go ahead and let her in" Alex said into her two-way radio.
Alex watched the young woman from the hill. She was cute but not too cute. She was a bit too stiff for her liking. Quite like Stephen she guessed. But then, they 'were' related. As Bridgett got out of the car, a chill went up Alex's spine. This woman made her nervous, but she had no idea as to why, she just did.
Alex and Charlotte walked into the lobby exchanging words or at least putting on the false façade of trying to get along. When they both knew they didn't care at all for one another. Alex thought she had seen the woman before, but wasn't sure as to where.
"Thank you agent Monroe." The girl said in disrespect.
"Yeah, no problem." Alex left and went upstairs to get on her computer and look through her files. Finding nothing, she got online to see what she could find from all of her usual places.nothing. There was just something about this woman. She shrugged it off and went to find Bobby maybe he could find something out that she couldn't. Though she would never admit to Bobby she needed his help. He would just have to think she was a colleague sharing info.
Stephen ushered Bridgett into a side room downstairs. "Hey 'Charlotte'! I need you to help me hide Fred Vorton, I tranqed him, he's unconscious in the Gazebo out back."
"Stephen we weren't sent here to knock anybody out just yet. We were sent to. you know why we were sent." Bridgett glared at him. Sure, she hated what Michel expected them to do here, especially after seeing what Darien Fawkes was capable of.
I know that Bridge. I mean, Charlotte but I got something you need to see before we go doing 'anything' Michel says. Just help me get the guy to a little place I found up the road, okay?"
"Yeah okay, but I don't know if this is such a good idea Stephen." Bridgett said following Stephen out the door reluctantly.
"Good idea or not I need to stash this guy and what I found out your not going to like so c'mon let's get this guy out of here. So we can get back here and I can show you something I'm sure you'll find interesting." They lifted Fred out of the gazebo and down to Bridgett's car. Luckily Stephen had already gotten rid of most of the agents for the night or this would have been a 'real' problem.
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Having been unable to find Bobby, Alex went to her room and readied herself for bed. She was restless and uneasy about that dang woman. Stephen said she was his sister. She walked to the window hoping the night air would help her to figure it out. As she looked down at the grounds, she could see what looked like Charlotte and Stephen carrying a body across the grounds to Charlotte's car.
Not thinking to change, Alex ran downstairs to see what was happening, but was met by Bridgett who had spotted her at the window. Bridgett acted casual hiding her hands behind her back where she was holding a tranquilizer gun. Alex watched her cautiously. She knew she was up to something.
"Have you seen Stevie, Alex?"
"No, I thought he was with you in the lobby?"
"Nope!" Bridgett raised the gun only to be blocked by Alex's arm. Alex grabbed one arm and hit the other arm holding the tranq gun against the wall. The gun fell to the floor. Alex turned leaned over to the floor grabbing for the gun. Bridgett grabbed her from behind almost tackling her, before she could get to the gun. As she did so, Alex stumbled and kicked the gun. Alex stepped back giving Bridgett an elbow in the ribs. Alex reached out again. Bridgett kicked Alex to the floor giving her a chop to the back of the head, Bridgett grabbed the gun. Turning Alex over on her back and straddling her so Alex could see the face of her attacker.
"What are you planning on doing?" Alex asked looking down the barrel of the tranquilizer gun.
"Actually . I was thinking that maybe, just maybe I would FIRE it at YOU!!!" Bridgett screamed in pure hate. She pistol-whipped Alex across the face. Alex pleaded with her she told her she would go with her. She was trying to get her trust, but little did she know that, that was going nowhere fast.
"Well, Alex I'd believe you if I didn't know you as well as I do." Alex looked at her confused. Bridgett cocked her head. "Don't remember huh? Oh well!" She said as she sat back and fired hitting Alex in the gut. Alex fell limp, the fight was over. Bridgett got up and stood over Alex pointing the gun towards the floor with one hand. Cocking her head, she walked around the lifeless form looking on at her in disbelief.
"You know you really should remember me Alex. I think that I should be hurt you don't remember. I guess I'll have to remind you who I am some time."
Bridgett holstered the gun and dragged the unconscious form of Alex Monroe along the path to the car. Stephen finished hiding Fred in the back of the car and had been waiting for Bridgett for what seemed like forever. She had gone inside for something, but hadn't told him why. Stephen saw Bridgett trying to drag Alex, but struggling at the effort and ran to her aid.
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A little over a half an hour later they finished stashing them at the top of a cliff behind a water station. It was a narrow, wet ledge and one wrong move and they would be swimming in the river below.
But, Bridgett and Stephen had secured them well enough so they weren't worried too much about that. What they 'did' worry about was an excuse as to where Alex and Fred were and Fred's wife Genie. She would be missing him soon.
Before they left Bridgett hit Alex across the face with the butt of a gun.
"Hey Bridgett what?" Stephen started to ask confused.
"She was my partner, I taught her everything she knows." Bridgett Commented. Then under her breath she whispered. "She never even tried to convince me to stay, damn her. She didn't even try to convince me that you were wrong." Tears were in the back of her eyes. She fought hard to keep them there. She hadn't wanted Stephen to hear her but he had.
Walking over he threw an arm around her trying to console her the best he knew how. "I'm sorry Bridgett. I really am." Bridgett shook him off. "C'mon let's get on with this we don't have time to reminisce about old times and what if's."
Bridgett reached up checking the ropes on their hostages. They were both still quite unconscious. She grabbed Alex by the chin. "I'll see you later my dear, dear partner!" She spat out spitting in her face. She threw her face from her hand and carefully walked around the ledge to the safety of the ground above.
Stephen and Bridgett left ready to do some 'very' heavy convincing.
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TBC....feedback welcomed. Thanks for the help from my beta, those beta's are wonderful.
