Enter the Official's office.

The door opens as Darien walks in and plops himself down in a chair. The Official is sitting at his desk looking over some documents…Eberts is hovering over his shoulder.

Fawkes:

"You wanted to see me?"

The Official:

"I briefed Hobbes while you were in the Keep…The two of you are assigned to protection duty for the time being."

Fawkes:

"And Hobbes couldn't tell me that?"

The Official:

"There's something else…"

Darien interrupts.

Fawkes:

"(sarcastically) And the other shoe drops…"

The Official:

"Fawkes."

The Official gives Darien a menacing stare.

The Official:

"What I have to tell you is for your ears only……Understood?"

Fawkes nods in acknowledgement.

The Official:

"The threat to this boy's life may be far greater than first presumed….And if so, you have my full authorization to do what you need to do."

Fawkes:

"I'm not quite sure what you mean."

The Official:

"You may be called upon to do….certain activities that could be classified as…."

The Official is searching for a word. Darien interrupts.

Fawkes:

"Illegal?"

The Official:

"(muttering to himself) Well that's not how I would have phrased it….but yes."

Fawkes:

"So why exactly can't I let Hobbes in on this part?"

The Official:

"For one thing, Hobbes doesn't have a criminal mind. You do. And second, deniability if you fail."

Darien's gaze fixes to the ground.

Fawkes:

"So you're tell'n me that if everything goes to hell then I'm on my own?"

The Official:

"I'm sorry…but that's the way it has to be."

A brief silence ensues.

Fawkes:

"So how will I know if I have to do this?"

The Official:

"Believe me…you'll know……And if things do take a turn for the worst we will try to maintain a degree of contact with you."

Fawkes:

"(agitated) A degree of contact?"

The Official:

"It's the best that I can do."

Darien gets up and leaves. The Official watches him as he leaves.

The Official:

"(to himself) Good luck."

Enter the Keep.

Claire is looking Michael over while Hobbes is off playing with some lab equipment. The door slides open. Darien enters.

Hobbes:

"For cry'n out loud, what took you so long Fawkes?"

Fawkes:

"Oh noth'n…just had to get my butt chewed out by the Fat Man."

Darien looks towards Claire and Michael.

Darien:

"So how's he do'n?"

The Keeper:

"He's in perfect health."

Claire looks down at Michael and helps him off the examination table.

Fawkes:

"Well, we'd better scat. Thanks for the help Keep."

The Keeper:

"Any time."

Darien, Hobbes, and Michael start heading for the door.

The Keeper:

"(waving) Goodbye Michael."

The door to the Keep slides shut.