Author's Note: *sigh* This chapter ran longer than the others. Sorry the story slows down a bit here, but chapter five (I still can't believe there's five chapters) will pick up the pace again. Hope you enjoy chapter four of Laria Rose Fawkes.
Chapter Four: The Wedding
Darien had been to weddings in the past, usually those of family friends or high school buddies, but he had never helped plan one. He was sure it qualified someone to be committed. He knew what QSM was like and it was nothing like this, he was pretty sure planning a wedding was worse.
He and Claire had decided on an early November wedding. November 10th to be exact. Darien had proposed in late August so they figured this would give them enough time to plan everything, and it did, with the exception of the Official's seemingly uncaring way of shipping Darien and Bobby off for days at a time. Three times now Darien had been assigned to a mission that required him to leave town if not the state.
That was the situation facing Darien right now as he paced outside the door of the Keep. He and Bobby had just been briefed on their next assignment, supposedly observation only of what looked like a Chrysalis installation. It was November 1st; the wedding was in nine days. He knew that Claire was going to be pissed when he told her that he was going to New Mexico, even though it was just for a day.
Taking a deep breath, Darien entered the access code into the keypad next to the door and stepping inside as it slid open.
He didn't have to say a word. Apparently that morning's news was written all over his face. He didn't get one word out before:
"Oh bloody hell, were is that fool sending you now?"
Darien fought to hide a smile; she was so cute when she was mad.
"New Mexico, just for a day, observation only." Darien said in a rush.
Claire sighed and flopped down in her desk chair.
"How can you be sure it's only a day? Last day trip you two took turned out to be a week of chasing Arnaud across the US."
Darien winced at that reminder of a broken promise, but he and Bobby had been so close to getting that Swiss miss bastard.
"Claire, I promise, I really truly promise, that I'll only be gone tomorrow."
Claire wasn't convinced.
"You had better, the wedding's in nine days and even though everything's ready, I have relatives arriving day after next."
"Well Nina's here, she can help get everyone settled. Everyone's staying at the same hotel right?"
Nina was Claire's younger and closest sister. She lived in northern California and had shown up on their doorstep not more than five minutes after Claire hung up the phone from calling her to tell her that she was engaged, or at least it seemed like only five minutes.
Darien liked Nina and was slowing learning all the juicy details of Claire's life that she had previously forgotten to mention. Like the time Claire and her friends were caught skinny-dipping in the ocean by the police. Which wouldn't have been so bad, except the police took them down to the station and had them call their parents at 1am and explain why they were there.
Claire gave one more exasperated sigh and nodded yes.
Darien walked over to his fiancé and wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head.
"I promise Claire, this is the last time I go anywhere before the wedding."
He felt Claire relax against him. He knew she was stressed and even with Nina's help there had been a lot to do, and he hadn't been very helpful. He was glad they were almost done, he couldn't wait for the honeymoon to Hawaii, no Agency, no Official and even though Bobby was like a brother to him, no Hobbes.
****
"Hey, best man! Hobbes! Bobby!!" Darien shouted trying to get Bobby's attention. Bobby was currently trying his charm on Nina, who was at the Agency to pick up Claire to go to lunch.
Bobby turned around, seeing his partner walking towards him, momentarily angry that Darien had thwarted his rapport with the mysterious young lady.
Darien walked over and introduced Bobby to Nina.
"Hobbes, this is Nina, Claire's little sister, and Nina this is Hobbes, my partner."
"Bobby." Croaked out Hobbes. 'Oh great.' he thought, 'I just hit on Claire's younger sister.'
"Hi Darien, Mr. Hobbes was just offering his assistance. All I really need to know is where Claire's office is."
"Ah, oh, well, how about I just call her for you?" said Darien, since the Keep was off limits to everyone, except Agency personnel.
"Sure."
Meanwhile Bobby was trying to act suave and redeem himself in Nina's and most likely Darien's eyes. Now that he thought about it Nina did look like Claire. Same face and body, however her eyes were grayer and her hair darker, and she was shorter, but she was still very pretty.
"So, where are you and the Kee.., I mean Claire going for lunch?" asked Bobby, kicking himself mentally for almost calling Claire Keeper. 'So much for being suave.' He thought.
"Oh, I don't know, Claire said there was a new place she wanted to try."
"Ah."
"Ok, Nina, Claire's on her way up, you two have a nice lunch, Hobbes and I have business to take care of. See you later." Darien said breaking the silence between the pair.
"Thanks Darien. See you later Bobby."
Bobby nodded as Darien led him down the hallway.
Once out of earshot Darien said, "You know Bobby, I don't think it's good for the best man to hit on the maid of honor."
"Yeah, well, why hadn't you introduced us before? How long has she been in town? Where's she from? Where's she staying?" questioned Bobby.
"She's been here since mid September, she lives in Chico, she staying in our guest bedroom and I never introduced her because, I guess I never thought about it. Sorry."
Darien did wonder how it was possible Nina had been here for over a month and she hadn't run in to Bobby before but oh well, it didn't really matter.
Darien and Bobby continued down the hall to the Official's office, they needed to get the details for their observation tomorrow that Eberts hadn't had earlier.
****
Darien and Bobby's observational mission started in the morning at an hour Darien didn't know even existed. Who had ever heard of getting up at 5am to go watch bad guys? He tried to be quiet so as not to wake Claire but she woke anyways.
"Morning sweetheart." He said.
"It's still dark outside Darien." mumbled Claire.
"Yeah, blame it on the Official."
Claire smiled and sat up, the covers tucked in around her.
"Is Bobby picking you up?"
"Yeah, at a quarter to six, or in," Darien looked at the clock, "19 minutes. I'll be right back."
Darien finished dressing and went to the kitchen to find something for breakfast. Considering how early it was he decided Cheerios were probably his best bet.
After quickly eating his breakfast he went back to the bedroom. Upon entering her heard Claire's slow even breaths, she had fallen back to sleep.
Darien watched her sleep for a few moments. She was beautiful, even first thing in the morning when she didn't think so. He quietly approached her and bent down to tuck the covers under her chin. He then gently placed a kiss on her forehead.
Darien left the bedroom and went to the living room to wait for Bobby. He had five minutes before Mr. Punctuality arrived.
****
The endless highway in front and behind the van mesmerized Darien. It was only 8am but it seemed he had been on the road with Hobbes for days. Darien was surprised he didn't have more to talk about with his best man, they had run out of conversation about a hour ago.
Bobby cast a sideways glance at his partner. 'What is he thinking about now?' he wondered, that kid does too much thinking.
Bobby had been doing some thinking of his own, mainly about Nina. "Am I totally wrong to like Claire's sister? Am I doing this because I can't have Claire anymore?' Bobby didn't think it was the latter because he had been attracted to Nina even before he knew she was. 'Would Claire freak if she knew he liked Nina? Did this fall into the category of fishing off the company pier?' Nina was about to become Darien's sister-in-law and was obviously already Claire's sister, was this a problem?
Bobby's thoughts continued their frenetic course until Darien's words broke through.
"Hey Hobbes, Hobbes…Bobby!"
"Oh, yeah partner?"
"Geez, you think I've been out of it lately, where were you just now?"
"Thinking, just thinking."
"About?"
"Stuff."
"Care to elaborate?"
"Umm, not really."
"Come on Hobbes, remember me? Best friend, partner, brother for all practical purposes."
Darien's whining got to him.
"Damn it Fawkes! It's Nina, all right? It's Nina."
"What about Nina?"
"I've got it for her bad Fawkes."
"Whoa, Hobbes, calm down. What do you mean? You don't even know her."
"Yeah, I know partner, but I can't get her off my mind."
"So, I'll reintroduce you to her when we get back."
"Fawkes, look at me. Do I look like I deserve Claire's sister? Besides don't you think Claire might get just a little upset about me asking Nina out?"
Darien considered this. It was a little strange he supposed. Nina was younger, still in grad school, following Claire's footsteps, working towards a Ph.D. in genetics and microbiology. 'That whole family is smart, or at least the girls.' thought Darien, he had yet to meet her brother. Darien didn't know how Claire would feel about Bobby asking out Nina. For all he knew Claire might just think that Bobby thought he had found an easy target.
Bobby was beginning to wonder about Darien's silence.
"Hey Fawkes. Don't you have some sort of encouraging words for me now?"
"Hobbes, look. I can't answer for Claire, and I don't know if Nina is your type; I don't know her very well. All I can really say is ask her out, and see what happens. I'll try to keep the Keep from killing you, after all you're a man of virtue I don't think Claire would mind your dating her little sister." Darien said, implying Claire's protective nature of her younger sibling good-naturedly.
Bobby gave a half smile at Darien's ribbing and dropped the subject.
****
Darien and Bobby arrived back at the Agency at 10pm. Their Chrysalis watching hadn't been very interesting. They gave their information to Eberts, who was still there for what ever reason, and headed towards Claire's house so Bobby could drop Darien off.
After saying good night to Bobby, Darien entered the house. It was silent except for the sound of the TV in the bedroom. Walking down the hall in that direction, he noticed the nursery door was open. Curious he peeked inside. Nina was standing at the crib, holding the white teddy bear from Bobby.
"Hey." Darien said gently, not wanting to startle her.
"Oh, hi Darien." She replied, as a worried apologetic look crossed her face, "Oh, I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't be in here should I?"
"It's ok." Darien said, he had often come in here himself to think.
"It's just that I'm afraid I'll upset Claire if I talk about Laria, but I was curious, and Claire never told me much about her." She said in a rush.
"Claire's alright now, I think she's ready to talk if you ask her. Have you been down to the cemetery?" he asked.
"No, I wasn't sure where it was and like I said I didn't want to ask Claire."
"Hmm, maybe we should go tomorrow, it's been awhile. We used to go every week, but we sort of stopped."
Nina nodded and replaced the teddy bear on its shelf.
"Good night Darien."
"Night."
Nina walked down the hall into the guest bedroom across from the master bedroom. Darien looked around the nursery; he had put up the pictures and put the linins on the crib mattress, he liked knowing the room was really finished, even if it was unused. Sighing he left the room. Closing the door he walked down the hall to the bedroom.
Claire was watching Friday night reruns of the X-Files.
"I thought you didn't like that show?" he asked.
"Oh, Darien you startled me." Claire said smiling. "The X-Files is ok, there's just something about Fox Mulder that you have to love." She said mischievously.
"Hmm, personally I like Dana Scully." Darien shot back.
Rolling her eyes, Claire asked him how his day was. He told her it hadn't been very interesting and that he was going to need a shot by morning.
"Are you sure you're ok till morning?" Claire asked.
"Yeah, three segments left and I'm not planning on quicksilvering between now and then."
"Ok. But just in case there's always a dose in the back of the refrigerator."
Darien wondered about this.
"What if Nina finds it?"
"Oh, I have it in a Tupperware container labeled leftover crab. She's allergic to shellfish." She said nonchalantly.
"Ah." said Darien wondering about other possible tricks the Keeper had up her sleeve.
By the end of their little conversation Darien had undressed and pulled on a pair of pajama pants and climbed into bed next to Claire. He clicked off the TV just as Mulder and Scully had uncovered yet another conspiracy and laid down, pulling Claire with him.
"Hmm." Darien sighed, "It's nice to be home."
"It's nice to have you home. Eight days Darien, then we'll be in Hawaii."
With thoughts of Hawaii floating in his mind Darien fell asleep.
****
It was the morning the wedding. Claire was excited and stressed at the same time. Nina was excited and Bobby was unusually quiet. Darien wasn't sure how he felt, but the excess adrenaline in his system kept him systematically covering his hands or lower legs every now and then, it wouldn't do to let Nina know her future brother-in-law pulled a magnificent disappearing act.
The ceremony was scheduled to start at 3pm. It was now 1:13. Claire and Nina had spent the last two hours in the master bathroom getting Claire ready. Darien had been pacing the living room with Bobby supervising from the couch.
Darien decided he couldn't take it anymore. He walked back to the bathroom and knocked. Nina opened the door far enough for her to poke her head out.
"Yes Darien? You know you can't see Claire until the ceremony."
"I know, I know, just tell her Hobbes and I are going to go to the church and make sure everything is ready." He said.
"Ok. I will." Nina said nodding and closing the door.
Bobby and Darien drove to the church were guests had been slowly collecting. The minister was there, the main hall was decorated and everything was in place. Darien looked at his watch. 2:03. 57 minutes. As that thought crossed his mind his right foot and lower leg shimmered out of sight.
"Yikes! Hobbes! Come here."
"Whoa, what is it partner?" Bobby asked.
"My right leg just went see-through. Help me get to the dressing room."
While Bobby tried to casually cover Darien's right leg with his coat, the pair walked back to the dressing room. Claire had arrived at the time Darien and Bobby were just closing the door to the dressing room.
"Fawkes, I thought you and Claire worked this out?"
"We did, excess adrenaline can be handled when it's constant and expected. These little random bursts I'm getting can't seem to be controlled."
"It's not going to happen during the ceremony is it Fawkes?" Bobby asked, half teasing.
"How the hell should I know?" said Darien, not amused.
"Hmm, well, want me to go ask the Keeper what we should do? She just arrived and she looks wonderful."
At the thought of this observation made by Bobby, Darien's left hand shimmered away.
"Oh crap."
"Well we can't have you going Saran-wrap in front of an audience. What do you want to do?"
Darien considered the effect his sudden disappearance would have, and sighed.
"Ok, go ask Claire."
Bobby slipped out of the dressing room and knocked on the door across the hall.
"Yes?" answered Nina, poking her head out.
"Oh, hi, Nina, I really need to talk to Claire. It's important."
"Ok, come in."
Bobby entered and stopped short at the sight of Claire. She was beautiful, almost radiant.
"Claire, Bobby said he needs to talk to you." announced Nina.
"Is everything alright Bobby?"
"Umm, yeah, it's a…quicksilver thing." He said quietly, nodding towards Nina, whose back was turned.
"Oh! Umm, Nina could you leave us alone for a moment?"
"Oh, sure Claire."
"What's wrong?" asked Claire as soon as the Nina left.
"He's going see-through, and he can't stop it. You know, the adrenaline problem."
"I thought we fixed that." Claire said more to herself than Bobby. "Hmm, he tried the breathing exercises?"
"Yep."
'This is a problem.' thought Claire, imagining the effect an invisible Darien would have on her family.
"Ah! Bobby, do you still have you Prozac on you."
"Yes, always." Bobby answered a little defensively.
"Good. Even though it regulates neurotransmitters it might be enough to calm him down. Go give him half a pill. Only half. Let me know how he is in 20 minutes."
"Yes ma'am." Bobby said and he left the dressing room only to run into Nina who was standing in the hall outside the door.
"Everything all right?" she asked.
"Yep, just dandy." Bobby said smiling.
Bobby went back to Darien's dressing room. Darien was sitting on the counter swinging his now visible legs, holding his still invisible hand in front of his face.
"Here Fawkes, Keep recommended half a Prozac, she thinks it will call you down just enough."
Darien was skeptical but took the offered pill anyways. Looking at his watch again it was now 2:15. 45 minutes. Just as he made that realization his other hand shimmered away.
"Hobbes, I thought you said Claire said this would work!"
"She said to give it 20 minutes."
Darien was beginning to panic. He started shaking his hands to try to unquicksilver them. His left hand came back into sight, Darien held his breath, afraid it might disappear again.
When it stayed in sight he relaxed slightly. At 2:21 his right hand came back.
"How do you feel partner?"
"Ok. I think it worked. Try to make me nervous." challenged Darien.
"Ok, in 37 minutes you will be Claire's husband."
Nothing happened.
"Yes!" exclaimed Darien, jumping off the counter and hugging Bobby. "If it wasn't for you I'd have a lot of explaining to do the Official. Speaking of which is he here?"
"Yep, he's here, so is Eberts, and Alex, Claire's mom, Catherine, her brother, Peter, and his wife, Jessica and their kids. Did you know Claire was an aunt?"
Darien nodded. Bobby shook his head.
"Anyways, your Grandmother made it, and other assorted peoples."
Darien nodded again. There was a knock at the door.
"Mr. Fawkes?"
"Yes?" said a completely visible Darien as he opened the door.
"20 minutes until we begin. Are you ready?"
Darien looked in the mirror, smoothing his pant leg where the quicksilver had been and making sure his jacket and vest were straight.
"Yep." He said looking at Hobbes who was making the same adjustments to his tux. "Hobbes?"
"Yep, I'm really too."
"Ok, gentlemen. Follow me and I'll place you at the alter."
Following the assistant Darien and Bobby were led to the alter and waited. It was 2:47.
The final guests filed in, there weren't many, mostly family. Darien scanned the faces and grew more nervous. Luckily the Prozac seemed to be keeping him visible.
2:53, the last of the guests were seated and the minister took his place.
2:57, the organ player ready herself and Darien could see movement in the back of the church.
3:00, the organ began the wedding march and Claire's five-year-old niece, Ann, their flower girl, came out shyly tossing rose petals in the aisle. Nina, who looked lovely in her dress, followed her. The audience stood as Claire arrived at the rear of the church. Her brother, escorted her, since her father had passed away when she was 16.
Darien watched breathless as she came nearer and nearer. She was more beautiful than he could ever remember. He was so nervous he wasn't sure if could speak.
As she came to a stop next to him, handing her bouquet to Nina, she smiled.
They turned towards the minister as the audience sat down.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Marriage is the greatest union a person can enter into. The union of two individuals, of two minds, of two hearts."
"Darien?" Prompted the minister, "Do you promise to love, honor, care for in sickness and in health, and remain true to Claire Rose as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Said Darien, almost unable to speak.
"Claire? Do you promise to love, honor, care for in sickness and in health, and remain true to Darien Fawkes as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Claire said tears forming in her eyes.
"You may now exchange rings." And they did so, carefully placing the matching wedding bands on each other's fingers.
"Before you stand two people who wish to join together in marriage, if anyone has reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."
The silence ensued as Darien held his breath.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride. Mr. And Mrs. Darien Fawkes." Finished the minister, smiling.
Darien turned towards Claire and carefully lifted her veil, he looked into her eyes and saw their future together, he gently wiped away a tear on her cheek. Leaning forward he gently kissed her lips, Claire returned the kiss as the audience clapped.