Viva Las Vegas (7/7)
By Carol M.
See first part for details
Note: So this is the end of this fun little romp. Thanks for all the kind words guys! I would like to thank Miami Vice for teaching me everything I know about drug deals and undercover work. Up next, a sweet Devil's Silver story that will act as a sort of teaser to the next story in the series or a standalone third season fic that will keep you on the edge of your seats. Let me know what you would rather read next. Enough talk, enjoy the final part of this one!
Claire heard a soft knock at Bobby's adjoining door, followed by the sound of the door opening. She looked up and saw Bobby quietly entering the room. "How's Fawkes…Eberts!?" said Bobby in surprise as he stepped all the way in the room and took in Eberts interesting outfit.
Eberts smiled smugly. "Hello, Robert."
Bobby stepped to the agent and looked him up and down. "Nice jacket, Eberts. Trying out a new look?" asked Bobby.
Claire cleared her throat and gave Bobby a sharp look. "Eberts is here as Darien's drug supplier."
A look of shock spread across Bobby's face. "Uh huh, no, no, no, no," said Bobby as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. "I asked the Fatman for a professional and he freakin sends us Eberts."
"Excuse me, Robert, but I am perfectly capable of holding my own in the field," said Eberts defensively.
Bobby ignored him and dialed his phone. He put the phone up to his ear and began to talk. "Chief, I think you've made some kind of mistake…sir…no sir…we need…budget? I don't care about freakin budget here, this is our lives we're talking about…sir…sir?" Bobby hung up the phone in a state of shock. "That fat bastard hung up on me."
"Wuz going on?" they heard Darien mumble from the bed. He sat up and looked around the room with blurry eyes. When he saw Eberts, he raised an eyebrow curiously. "Ebes, what are you doing here, man?"
Claire put on a fake smile and stepped to the bed next to Darien. "This is your drug supplier, Darien."
Darien gave her a disbelieving look and then his gaze drifted towards Bobby and finally towards Eberts. He glanced back at Claire and then dramatically lay back down against his pillow. "Aw crap," he murmured.
Bobby nodded. "My sentiments exactly."
A knock at the door caused them all to look at one another with mixed looks of surprise and fear. Bobby quickly stepped to the door and opened it, revealing a Star Inn employee holding an envelope.
"Compliments of Mr. Sabattini," said the man as he handed Bobby the letter. Bobby gave him a ten-dollar tip and then shut the door. He quickly walked to the bed and handed the letter to Darien, who wasted no time in tearing it open.
"Meet ten miles out, 500 yards past the Star Inn sign. 11:00 a.m.," said Darien.
"Desert," said Bobby.
"We're gonna be sitting ducks out there," said Darien, as he once again sat up and tried to get out of bed. When he stood up, his stomach and head did a simultaneous flip-flop and he would have ended up face first on the carpet if Bobby hadn't have grabbed him by the arm and pushed him back onto the bed.
"Darien," said Claire with concern as she stepped to the bed and helped Bobby settle Darien into a laying position. "You're not going anywhere," she said firmly.
Darien moaned and closed his eyes, holding his stomach. "Keep, I kind of have to go here. I'm, the middle man…I have to…ow, crap," he said as he rolled onto his back and inadvertently stirred up the bruises on his kidney. His face clenched in pain and his head went back deep into the pillow
"Keep's right, Fawkes. You probably wouldn't even be able to stand up out there," said Bobby. "I'll go in your place."
"Hobbes," protested Darien in a whining tone.
"Fawkes," replied Bobby in a similar voice. "I want you and the Keep to stay here," said Bobby as he walked to Eberts and gave him a hard pat on the back. "Isn't that right, Eberts?"
Eberts flinched. "It's Big Boy," said Eberts.
Bobby gave him a disbeliving glance and then nodded his head. "Isn't that right, Big Boy."
Eberts grinned proudly. "Yes that's right."
"So what did you bring for us?" asked Bobby.
Eberts pulled a small plastic bag out the pocket of his leather jacket and handed it to Bobby. Bobby nodded his head when he realized it was a wire. "Good job, my friend. We can get this whole shebang on tape and get some real evidence," said Bobby as he waved the plastic bag in the air. "What about the drugs?"
"I've got them in my car," said Eberts.
"Guys, I don't know about this," said Darien from the bed. "I'm mean you're going in there alone without any backup. Maybe we should just call this whole thing off."
He looked at Claire for support and they both nodded in agreement.
Bobby shook his head. "No way, Fawkes. This is our chance to take down this group of scum sucking clowns and Bobby Hobbes is not going to let that chance slip through his fingers. We'll be fine."
Darien shook his head. "I'm going with you," he said as he slowly attempted to sit up again.
Bobby was at his side in an instant, pushing him gently back against the pillow. "No you're not partner. You're a liability we don't need out there."
Darien looked hurt. "Oh, so now I'm a liability?"
Bobby sighed. "Don't get so touchy, my friend. I'm just saying in your current state, you would probably be more of a hindrance then a help. Just leave it to me and Big Boy over here. We'll get the job done," he said as he stepped to Eberts and put his arm around him. "Now if you'll excuse us, we have a band of criminals to bust."
Bobby let go of Eberts and walked out the door, slamming it behind him. Eberts gave Claire and Darien a slightly startled look and then followed Bobby out the door.
**
Bobby pulled Golda up to the designated meeting spot, the wire tucked securely in the lining of his coat. He saw John and company standing in a small circle in front of a Ferrari, a Mercedes, a black van and a white truck waiting for their arrival. He glanced over at Eberts, who was staring at the cars and men nervously from the passenger's seat.
"Ready, Big Boy?" asked Bobby.
Eberts looked over at him and nodded hesitantly.
"You're playing with the big boys now," said Bobby. "No pun intended," he added. "Just play it cool and you'll be fine," said Bobby as he opened the door to the van and stepped out.
Eberts followed suit and stepped out as well, lugging a silver suitcase with him.
The pair walked over to the small group of men standing in the center of the parked cars. John and Jack eyed them both curiously. "Where's Roy?" asked John.
Bobby glanced at Jack and then his gaze fell on John. "Mr. Michaels had a little accident last night. He asked me to come in his place," he said as he shoved Eberts forward. "This is Big Boy."
Eberts stuck out his hand. "I'm Big Boy, sir," he said softly.
John shook Eberts' hand and then eyed Bobby curiously. "He's not exactly what I expected," said John.
Bobby smiled. "Don't let looks deceive you, sir. Big Boy is as bad as they come. I wouldn't want to be alone in the same room with him if you know what I mean," said Bobby, nudging Eberts slightly.
As if on cue, Eberts growled slightly and put a ferocious look on his face. He tossed the silver suitcase on the ground. "There's the drugs. Plenty more where that came from," said Eberts cheerfully.
John nodded. "Very well," he said as he kneeled down and opened the suitcase. He grinned at appreciation at the packets of white that greeted him. "Everything looks to be in order… Sam," he yelled.
John's bodyguard stepped forward with an identical suitcase. He set it next to Eberts' case and opened it, revealing stacks of hundred dollar bills. "Consider this a taste of what is to come," said John.
"Nice," said Bobby, nodding in appreciation.
John stood up and looked at Jack expectantly. "Jack, I believe you have something for me as well?"
Jack nodded. "Charlie," he said as he motioned towards a beefy looking, older man who was dressed in a finely tailored suit. The man brought forward a black suitcase, setting it next to the other two. He opened it, revealing several guns. John kneeled down and began examining the hardware. He picked up one of the guns, cocked it and motioned the others to step aside. The men stepped out of the way and John fired the weapon out into the desert. The sound of the gun going off made a harsh echo that seemed to sweep through the entire area. "Very nice," said John. "Sam."
Sam stepped forward once again, bringing up yet another suitcase. He handed it to Jack, who once again set it on the ground. He opened it up and smiled in appreciation. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Sabattini. I look forward to our continued association."
And that's when everything went to hell. The sound of a radio suddenly started playing from Bobby's jacket. "What the hell?" said Bobby as he began patting his jacket.
John was at his side immediately, along with Sam.
"I'm just trying to pick up the game," said Bobby innocently. His hand started to drift towards his holster, but it was abruptly stopped by Sam.
"We need to check you out, Mr. Burnett," said Sam as he began patting down Bobby.
"Guys, come on, it's me, James. I'm your friend, my friends," said Bobby.
Sam found the wire and pulled it out of Bobby's jacket. Then he roughly pulled Bobby's gun out his holster. A final pat down located the gun in Bobby's ankle holster as well.
"He's heat," said Sam to a furious looking John.
John instantly grabbed Eberts and began patting him down. "He's clean," he said after he completed the search.
Bobby gave Eberts an apologetic glance as every guy standing seemed to pull out a gun and aim it at them.
"Well gentlemen, it seems we have a small problem. Looks like we have a few cops to take care of," said John to the other men. He shook his head sadly. "I really liked you guys too," he said, glancing at Sam and Jack's bodyguard. "Get Roy and the girl. Bring em out here."
He looked back at Bobby and gave him a sad smile. "Looks like we're going to be digging a few holes. Four to be exact," said John. "I think there's some shovels in the truck."
Bobby and Eberts were dragged roughly towards the truck by Jack and Charlie. Eberts gave Bobby a terrified glance. "We're in trouble, aren't we?"
Bobby nodded. "Yep Ebes, we're pretty much screwed," he said grimly.
**
"They've been gone too long, Claire," said Darien from the bed, checking his watch. "I think we should go out there."
Before Claire had time to respond, the door to their room was kicked open by Sam and Jack's bodyguard. Jack's bodyguard trained his gun on Darien and stepped to the bed. "Ahh, Mr. Fawkes, we meet again," he said as he grabbed Darien's arm and pulled him roughly out of the bed.
Darien groaned and eyed Claire in a panic. Claire returned the look and was roughly manhandled towards the door by Sam. "Let's go visit your friends, shall we," said Sam as Claire and Darien were dragged out the door.
They were led downstairs and then put in a black van that was very similar to Golda. Darien came to rest on the floor of the van, holding his aching ribs and stomach that had been aggravated by the rough treatment of Jack's bodyguard. Claire scooted next to him and ran a hand through his hair.
"This isn't good," he said as the van started heading down the strip towards the desert.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the meeting place. Claire was pulled out of the van and shoved into the arms of Jack, who immediately put a gun to her head. Darien was pushed out of the van and landed face first on the ground, unable to do more than moan and groan. He gingerly lifted his head up and saw that Bobby and Eberts were busy digging holes. "This is like some bad mob movie," said Darien.
"Shut up," said John as he stepped forward and pulled Darien roughly to his feet. "I trusted you Roy. Or should I call you Darien."
"Hey, whatever floats your boat, man. But personally, I prefer Fawkes," said Darien. John pushed him towards the holes that Bobby and Eberts were digging. "Help your friends. The sooner you're dead and buried, the happier I'll be."
Darien glanced at Claire, who was giving him a look of terror as Jack tightened his hold on her. He then crawled towards Bobby and Eberts, eyeing a shovel laying on the ground. "Need some help, guys?" said Darien as he eyed Bobby intensely and then motioned towards the shovel.
"Yeah, buddy, help would be good," said Bobby as he got ready for Darien to make his move.
Darien picked up the shovel and quicksilvered it in one fluid motion. Then he swung the shovel as hard as he could at Sam, who had turned his back to him. The shovel hit Sam in the back and he fell to the ground completely unconscious.
The distraction gave Claire time to smash her foot down on Jack's knee causing him to lose his grip on her. Bobby took the opening and dived at Jack, taking him to the ground. A few solid punches to the face took him into dazed semi-consciousness.
Eberts followed suit and swung his own shovel at Jack's bodyguard, effectively taking him to the ground.
Darien, who was laying on the ground in a daze after using all his strength to take down Sam, was suddenly kicked in the ribs in the same area as his other injuries. He groaned and tried to swallow the bile that was rising in his throat. He looked up and saw the faces of Charlie and John standing over him.
"Hold it," shouted John to Bobby, Claire and Eberts.
The trio stopped short and looked up in horror as they saw Darien being dragged roughly to his feet by John with a gun pressed firmly against his temple. Charlie was standing next to them with his gun drawn and aimed at them.
"You try anything and he dies," said John firmly as he tightened his grip on Darien.
Bobby instantly dropped the shovel and stood up. "Let him go Sabattini, don't be stupid."
John started to drag Darien towards the Ferrari using Charlie as cover. "Just think of this as a little insurance policy," he said as he wrapped his arm firmly around Darien's waist right over his broken rib. Darien moaned and his vision started to blur out. John dragged him back further towards the car and Darien started to panic. He eyed Bobby and saw Bobby's eyes motioning downward. He nodded his head slightly, realizing what Bobby wanted him to do.
Darien quicksilvered, instantly turning invisible. The shock of not seeing Darien caused John to loosen his grip, letting Darien duck or more accurately, fall to the ground.
Bobby snatched Jack's gun from his waistband and fired at Charlie, hitting him in the leg. At the same time, Claire took Sam's gun and fired at John, hitting him in the shoulder. Both men fell to the ground, moaning in obvious pain. Bobby looked back at Eberts and pointed to Golda. "Ebes, get the cuffs man," said Bobby as he and Claire started for Darien.
Eberts nodded and ran off towards the van.
Claire knelt down next to the spot she figured Darien had landed and felt around for him. "Darien, drop the quicksilver," she said as she finally felt his body.
Darien did so with a groan and looked up at her with glassy eyes. "Did we get the bad guys?" he asked.
Claire smiled. "We sure did."
Darien returned the smile. "Oh good," he said. Then his eyes rolled back into his head and he passed out.
**
A week later
Claire finished examining Darien's abdomen and pulled his shirt back down. "Everything appears to be healing nicely Darien. You should be on active duty in another week or so," she said with a smile.
"Can't wait," said Darien sarcastically. He slowly sat up from the chair and gave her an awkward glance.
"What?" she asked.
"Umm," he said, reaching down to her hand. "I kind of need the ring back now," he said, gently slipping the ring off her finger.
"Oh," said Claire in surprise. "I forgot I was even wearing it. Kind of got used to it, you know," she said softly.
"Yeah," said Darien, clearing his throat in embarrassment. "Well," he said.
"Well," said Claire.
"I guess this means we're official divorced," said Darien.
Claire nodded. "Yeah."
They both jumped slightly as they heard the sound of the Keep door opening. "Fawkesy, how you doing?" asked an ecstatic looking Bobby Hobbes as he stepped through the door.
Darien glanced at Claire for a moment and then smiled at Bobby. "Good man. Keep said I'd be on active duty by next week. What about you? How did my fellow criminal friends make out?"
"Hastings copped a plea. Blew Sabattini right out of the water. His testimony, along with the wire and our own testimonies will put him away for good. Charlie's going to be getting some time and the bodyguards are all copping pleas of their own. All in all, not a bad days work," said Bobby.
"Congratulations boys, you did good," said Claire with a smile.
"Well now, let's not forget your roll in all of this. You helped us bring them down and you saved my life. Not bad for a nerdy scientist," said Darien.
"Hey," said Claire, punching Darien hard in the arm. "We're not married anymore, remember? You're not allowed to tease me."
"Thank god," said Bobby. "So I guess its back to the old agency grind of cheap vans, cheap wires and even cheaper fake drug dealers."
Darien smiled. "I must admit, I will miss it. For a few days, we were living the high life. Champagne, Jaguars, gorgeous women… In fact I'm thinking we should persuade the fat man to send us back. You know, bust up another ritzy titzy organization. What do you guys think? You in?" asked Darien, glancing at Bobby and Claire.
"I'm in," said Claire with a smile.
"Yeah, but next time, Claire is my woman," said Bobby as the trio started heading out the door.
"Hey, we can just take turns, you know. One assignment she's my wife, the next she's yours, yadda, yadda, yadda," said Darien as they all walked out the door.
"Guys, don't I get a say in this?" asked Claire.
"No," was the partner's simultaneous response.
Claire shook her head and stuck out both of her arms, wanting Darien and Bobby to escort her down the hall. She smiled as she felt each of them take an arm and tuck it securely in their own arms. She could definitely get used to this.
That's All Folks