Part nine
Disclaimer warnings and all other notes see previous chapters.
The Storm Part Nine
Once they were within a safe distance of the camp ahead by the waterfall, Bridget and Claire laid down the travois. Trying to rouse Darien from his unconscious state, Claire noticed the blood soaked bandage at his side. Removing it she replaced it with one she had soaked and prepared with aloe. Darien winced at the action coming out of his slumber.
"Claire, are we there yet?"
"Shh! Be quiet their just up ahead around the corner over there." Claire pointed.
"Yeah okay, help me up." Darien whispered and winced as he tried to get up.
Once he was up he became dizzy and his leg and back were giving him a lot of trouble, but he had to do this he had to help his friends, he had to beat Michel at his own game. That thought alone was enough to give Darien the adrenaline he needed to compose himself through this bout of sheer agony, quicksilver, and get his friends, and Michel if it was at all possible. But, whatever it took Darien was sure going to try.
Quicksilvering Darien strolled along the path to the waterfall. Michel and Jared were below on a cave like ledge by the fire, while Stephen guarded the front entrance to the waterfall. A tree overlooking the west side of the waterfall was where Bobby and Fred were tied up. The women were tied up at a group of large gray rocks. Bobby seemed to be in a lot of pain. Blood was trickling down his bruised face. His right shoulder looked wrong as it was tied behind his back. Alex was unconscious and bleeding with her head against the larger boulder to her side. Genie was trying to talk to her, but Alex couldn't hear her.
Darien walked across the water above where Michel and Jared were talking by the fire. Had they been by the creek where the waterfall ran off the rocks to the whole by their side they would have seen him coming. He walked across the creek not two inches deep, coming up behind Stephen he let the quicksilver fall from his face and hand as he brought his finger up to hush Stephen as he grabbed him.
Stephen nodded pointing to Alex, Darien quicksilvered again. He untied the women first. Genie carried Alex out of the sight of the men below, laying her under a cluster of trees for camouflage. He next went to Bobby, as he began to untie him Bobby whispered something inaudible that caused him to stop. His heart sank and quicksilver droplets rolled down his face. Next he went to Stephen for help. Stephen and Darien walked back to where Claire and Bridget were hiding. "Oh Bridget, you're alive! I can't believe this you're alive."
"I know Stephen a few grazes from those bullets but other than that I'm fine."
"I was so worried, don't you ever do that to me again you hear me Bridget, never!" Stephen had his arms firmly wrapped around her waist as he kissed her forehead.
"Kids, I hate to break this up but…" Darien motioned to the camp ahead.
"I'm going to go get Genie, then Claire… Bridget… Stephen you go do your stuff just don't kill Michel if you can possibly help it I want that little pleasure for myself." Darien stalked away to get Genie they were going to need every able bodied person if they planned on succeeding at all." Darien quicksilvered and stalked off before anyone had the chance to say a word.
"Ugh! I hate it when he does that, he's hurt and probably in insurmountable amounts of pain, but when that adrenaline kicks in it's like absolutely nothing phases him, and he absolutely will not listen, ugh!" Claire stomped in the ground. She hated so much when he was like this. Nonetheless, she had to help him if she could. He would be hurting horribly once the adrenaline wore off, so she decided then and there that she would do all she could to ensure he stayed alive.
Darien found Genie curled up under a cluster of trees with Alex at her side. She had awoke and was now trying to regain what little amount of composure she could.
Alex tried to shake off the dizzy, shaky, and nauseated feeling she had been feeling since waking up. She had hit her head when Michel was leading them to the clearing above the waterfall. He hadn't liked the speed she was keeping, and pushed her from behind. Which caused her to lose her footing on some loose rocks bringing her down to hit her head on some rather large pointed rocks.
The understandable gash she had received to the side of her head was deep and long with crusted and gooey blood that was stuck to the side of her face. She took a deep breath to contain herself, and as she looked up she noticed a very pale, very pain filled face staring back at her. His weak ashen body swayed as he stood there. Then she noticed it, he had a wound at his side which was bandaged, but still bleeding profusely. Her heart jumped with fear and worry when she saw it.
"Fawkes, are you okay? We've got to get you some help. Now, c'mon lie down." Alex sputtered as she reached for his arm. She was trying to get him to lie down, but he just yanked her away almost losing his balance as he did so. He breathed a heavily exhausting breath as he fought to remain standing.
"Can't lie down. No time to lie down. Have to help the others. Have to get Michel. Need help." Darien said as though he were in a trance.
"Fawkes, you need to rest, you're hurt. Let us help you, then Genie and I will rescue the others."
"No, like I said no time. And…Alex you don't know Michel. You'd never make it two yards without me and this gland in my head." Darien motioned to the back of his head. As he did so Alex stood to try to knock some sense into him even if that meant knocking him out if she had to, she would. She reached up feeling his head she gasped as she pulled her hand away. He was practically on fire. She had to get him help and soon. But how? They were in the middle of nowhere and for all she knew the one person that could help was back at the bed & breakfast.
Just as she was about to do some very serious convincing they heard a commotion out in the clearing. Darien signaled for silence and motioned for the two women to follow him. The commotion was the cue that it would be safe for them to get to Bobby and Fred.
Bobby was anxiously watching as Stephen and Bridget began arguing, distracting Michel and Jared who got in on the argument as well. It all had something to do with Claire being there. Bridget argued that if they were any kind of men they would be out there looking for Fawkes not sitting here on their asses waiting for who knows how long.
She argued that Darien was out there and he was so bad off that they could probably walk right up to him hold a gun to his head and he wouldn't even put up a fight. The only thing she left out was why he was in this bad of shape. Then she started going on about Michel's shooting at her. Michel just cowered and said he had seen a jack rabbit and was shooting at that, not her and if he had hit her he was truly sorry.
This went on and on as Darien, Alex, and Genie crept to the tree Bobby and Fred were secured to practically unseen. Darien cupped a hand over Bobby's mouth to stifle the screams that were sure to come. Darien quicksilvered Bobby's wrists breaking the ropes. Bobby fought the urge to scream with every ounce of courage he had. What it brought were tears of pain that trickled down his face onto Darien's hand.
Once the two were freed the group took the two men back to the cluster of trees where Darien had first found Genie and Alex. Without giving the growing group any kind of a warning Darien quicksilvered again and headed back to the clearing. Once Alex and Bobby realized that the quicksilver was coating his body they tried to stop him, but to no avail.
Darien walked over to Stephen, "keep it goin' man."
Stephen and Bridget kept up the pretense. Claire had sat down on a nearby rock while looking quite disconcerted by the whole matter.
The argument was about to take a turn about Michel not moving things along as quickly as he should have when Jared turned his gaze to the tree. He became alarmed and alerted the others when he saw that their prisoners had escaped. As Jared did so Claire took it upon herself to inform him of the situation.
"Oh yes love, they've been gone for quite some time now." Claire laughed like she was bored with the whole matter as she said it. These guys were dumber than she thought.
All eyes turned and Michel glared at her in anger. "Who released them and where did they go? Tell me now doctor or…" Michel looked around there was no one left to threaten her with.
"Or what? You'll kill me? I don't think so love, I think he'll have something to say about that?" Claire motioned to the air behind Michel and Jared Stark. "Who's going to stop us you're invisible friend Mr. Fawkes? From what I hear from Bridget here is that he's quite unable to do much of anything." Michel chuckled at the mere thought of it. Darien Fawkes against him? Why…why…he wouldn't even last five minutes before he'd turn and run.
"I don't think so love."
"You don't know dear Bridget hear she's as loyal as they come. If she says that Mr. Fawkes is quite incapacitated then that is what he is." Michel retorted.
"Not anymore!" Came a ghostly voice piercing through the night air. "You tried to kill me Michel! Tsk, tsk, tsk! Now that's not nice."
Michel ordered Bridget and Stephen to get Fawkes, but instead they just sat back and watched the scene.
"Uh, uh, uh you don't get away 'that' easy. You have a lot of esplainin' to do Lucy. Like why did you send those bumbling idiots to my apartment? At that point Darien desilvered his eyes so Michel could look into the eyes of his attacker. Darien circled the two men knowing fully that one wrong step from any of them would land them in the endless hole below meeting them with certain death.
"Now, now Mr. Fawkes we can be reasonable about this can't we? If it's money you want I'd be glad to pay. Let me go and you can do what you like with Michel here. What's your price?" Jared Stark looked into the eyes circling them fully expecting a dollar amount, but instead…
"Money, is that what you think? That is so like you Jared to think that you could get out of this with money. You're own brother, and all you think this is, is a business deal to get rid of dear old Darien Fawkes the invisible man. Have I really been that bad Jared?"
"Darien, you have no idea. As for my dear brother here well…there's more to family than a pocketbook as you know. Perhaps just a gland or … maybe a counteragent perhaps? Whatever the weakness we all have them, even family. Even you Fawkes, I'm sure even you as self-righteous as you pretend to be would have sold out your own brother given the chance."
That statement sent a surge of anger through Darien he could not control nor did he want to. He leaped for Jared going for the man's throat. Knocking Jared off balance he fell to the ground. He lay there with his head hanging over the large gap and Darien's quicksilvered hands around his neck. His face began turning blue from the cold and lack of air he was receiving.
Something in Darien had snapped at the comment, but just as quickly as it had begun, it ended. Darien realized what he was doing and let go of Jared's neck, got to his feet and helped the man up he then ushered Stephen down to bind the two men. He had, had his fill with their demented kind of brotherly love.
"Michel, you know what I thought I wanted to kill you, but you know what I was wrong. I think I want you to live with the consequences of what you've done even more than I want you dead. Oh, and Michel you better learn to love you brother man, cause you two's gonna be cellies man, you hear that cellies!
Michel looked at Darien then his brother. "I do love my brother, just not in the same way that he does me, I gather. Or for that matter you do yours. Would you do anything for your brother Fawkes? Cause ya know I would, I did Fawkes, I did. But I think your right to him it is all about money, and no I don't think you would cell out your own brother. I learned that during that time we spent together in prison. Yes I listened. It's just too bad I don't have a brother more like you Fawkes. Maybe then things would be different."
Michel silenced and bowed his head somberly sinking to the ground he got on his knees and sat back on his heels with his hands and feet tied he couldn't run. But, somehow he just didn't have the urge or even the want to run. Darien Fawkes was right. How could a man he hated so much be so right? He loved his brother, but apparently his brother would sale him out given the chance. That wasn't love, that was pure and utter egotism from that sick, self righteous SOB.
Darien Fawkes was right about Jared and Michel. But, the question was how could men he hated so much be so right. There was a time a long time ago it seemed, that he may have sold out his brother. But then again his brother 'had' sold him out. And, the reminder of that fact was a gland in the head and a shot in the arm.
Bobby and Alex walked out from the trees. Darien accompanied by Claire met them halfway across the clearing. Before they could say a word Darien blew out a large exhausted breath his face turned a shade bluish white color, his eyes rolled back in his head, his legs buckled under him and he collapsed into the arms of his friends. His body just couldn't go on any longer.
The three looked at each other in shock as Bridget and Stephen came up behind with the travois in hand. The group was able to get him down on it and transport him to the nearby vehicle. Then they got Darien back to the gardens as quickly as possible. The ride back was long and hard, but soon enough they were pulling up the long driveway to the Gardens bed & breakfast. They were quickly ushered inside. Darien's pulse was fast but sluggish. He needed blood fast, but where? She was frantic. She had used up whatever blood supply she had on his last surgery.
Bobby walked over extending his arm. "Here ya go keep, take as much as ya need my friend. Don't worry Bobby Hobbes can take it." Once they had come up to Claire's SUV Bobby, Darien, and Claire had changed vehicles leaving Stephen and Bridget to go back for the others. So really, Bobby was the only option or so he thought at the moment.
"Thanks for the gesture Bobby, but you're just not the right type." Claire turned back to her patient trying courageously to stop the bleeding.
Bobby moved closer. "Somethin wrong with my blood keep? Whatever it is Bobby Hobbes can take it. C'mon hit me." Bobby smacked his chest and closed his eyes as though he were expecting a blow of ultimate proportions.
"Claire stopped what she was doing gesturing to those helping her to continue she turned to face Bobby. "No Bobby, its just… there are certain factors involved when giving blood to a patient."
"Fine, but I don't see what's so wrong with my blood that you can't use it. Bobby Hobbes has great blood, besides I don't see nobody else puttin' their arms out for ya keep." Bobby mumbled as he stormed away, but stayed near enough to know if his partner would make it or not. He was far enough away to let Claire know that he was deeply hurt by her comments. His blood was good enough for most guys why wasn't it good enough for Fawkes? The others came through it alright, there weren't even side effects from his mental state for them to enjoy.
Moments later the official followed by a cowering as usual Ebert's stormed into the room. "Is the kid gonna make it Claire?" The official barked. He had decided to see for himself what was going on, once he heard from some of the other agents of their disastrous situation. Especially after the detailed account from his grandson.
"I don't know sir, but at the moment it looks quite grim." Claire stated while working intensely.
"What are you saying Claire? That the kids not going to make it? If that's true you know the protocol for this. I order you to inform me of the situation Miss Keeply." When she didn't answer the official slammed his hand down on a nearby instrument table, causing everyone in the room to jump.
"Uh sir," Bobby walked forward hoping to rectify the situation. Besides, that conversation was taking a turn that Bobby would prevent with his life if he had to.
"Yes Bobby?" The official barked he was angry at the interruption.
"Um, its just I think what the keep here is trying to say is…um…uh… if she …uh had the right type of blood Fakes here just might make it, sir. Uh…I mean at least that's …what I think she was tryin to say…sir."
Claire turned briefly pointing to Bobby. "Thanks Bobby, that's exactly what I was trying to say."
The official looked at her with a confused look. "Are you saying that only a certain type of person can…"
Oh, no sir its just…UGH!" Claire had enough of this. She was becoming very frustrated and extremely annoyed at their inability to get what she was getting at.
Ebert's then stepped forward. "Sir, if I may?"
"Go ahead Ebert's, maybe 'someone' can explain what's going on."
"Each one of us has specific blood types. There's O negative, O positive, A, and the list goes on. But, some of us have the same blood types and…" He went on and on until Claire was so frustrated she couldn't take it any longer. It was only then that Ebert's offered the information they so desperately needed. "I believe I have the correct blood type sir."
All were relieved as Darien was finally wheeled into surgery.
A few days later the Gardens bed & breakfast was full of activity. The usual agents had returned from Salt Lake and had been returned to their posts. They had been given their assignments and were actively engaging in them.
Alex had received a lovely concussion from her part in the trap they set for the Stark brothers and was recovering nicely. She was still a little lightheaded, but she was past ready to get home to her own bed.
Bobby suffered a severely dislocated shoulder and a gunshot wound that barely pierced his upper thigh, but to hear him tell it you'd think it hit an artery or somethin'.
Genie and Fred were doing well, Fred promised Genie that they'd take a vacation. So they decided to go to San Diego to visit some new and old friends.
Claire was no worse for wear. She'd treated everyone especially Darien, and had worried herself so much that for the past two days she'd done nothing but slept. Eberts was diverse enough in his training that he was able to take over and monitor her patients while she slept.
Bridget and Stephen gave all of the dirt they could on Michel and Jared Stark. It was enough to put the two away for a very long, long time. They'd be in for the rest of their lives and that still wouldn't be long enough to pay for all of their crimes. Alex was thrilled because when they got Jared they also got his men and one of those happened to be his wife, then the truth came pouring out which meant… "Yep, you guessed it she finally got her son back. I love it when a plan comes together."
Well anyway, back to Stephen and Bridget, the fish was so thrilled with the dirt they supplied that he pulled some strings and got them both new jobs at the agency. He also got a few extra funds in the deal to support them. They were in utter shock for almost four hours before they realized that it was all for real. They had thought for sure they'd be spending some time of their own in prison, not this.
If you hadn't guessed it by now Bridget and Stephen have been in love from the get go. It was just because of Michel and all of the circumstances surrounding all of that, that neither of them had said anything. So here they were in love and free from their prison. The wedding is planned for this summer and everyone at the agency and the Gardens are invited. The fish is even declaring it a day off and springing for a caterer and decorations for the whole shin dig.
Now, I bet you're all wondering about Darien, well he had some pretty serious injuries there for a while. He's still pretty weak and in a lot of pain so Claire's put him on complete bed rest. He has no place to live since his place burnt down. So, even though the official insisted he stay at the agency in lab 3 until he was completely recovered. Claire convinced the official to allow him to stay at her place. She could keep a much better eye on him there. Besides, Bobby's place was completely out of the question, they'd drive each other nuts. Even though Bobby insisted his place was the better option. The official agreed with Claire so he's staying with her.
Then there's me, Chaz Borden. I recovered nicely thanks to my granddad. And… with the help of good old granddad Borden I'm going to work at the one place I always wanted to in the first place. I know I said no way that I wanted to get there on my own, but hey ever since I started doing government work I wanted to be at the agency so, here I go. My first day is Monday and granddad says my new partner is one of the best so we'll see. I bet he ain't no where near as good as Darien Fawkes or Robert Hobbes for that matter. Well anyway, wish me luck.
As Chaz finished his letter to the unknown source he grabbed his trench coat from the hook by the door. The storm had returned once again. Would it ever really end… Chaz wondered, as he ran out in the rain to mail the letter. Just as he ran across the street and was about to put the letter in the mailbox it dawned on him that it had been storming all through this ordeal. "I wonder what storm of life is about to hit us now?" He thought as he let go of the letter and it slid down into the mailbox.
Charles Borden sat in his office at the agency. His grandson would be starting here at the agency in a few days. He was nervous, but even more so he was worried about the envelope he held clutched in his hands. He needed to make that fateful phone call. He had three days in which to do it. Chaz would be starting the same day this all would begin to take place. He'd want to know what was happening, but unfortunately he couldn't know. The official picked up the telephone and began to dial the number he knew so well. He stopped abruptly slamming the phone back down, he went back to clutching the envelope. He hoped that if he clutched it hard enough it would all just go away.
-------------The end.
That's the end, guys. Thanks for all of the support during this. It inspires me to continue. That last part is a prelude to another part or (book) in this story called train of life that will be a while before its ready to start sending out so bear with me. Thanks again to all of you for reading and your comments.
