Note: Sorry it took so long to get this next part up. I was away and unable to reach my computer. I hope the wait was worth it. Now, on with the story!
Chapter 5: Christmas Past
Darien heard nothing for the next few days. He wasn't surprised. It was just what he was expecting. Just like any other heist, after the initial meeting with the boss there was a waiting period. On Christmas Darien didn't do much. He watched "A Christmas Story" on TNT about three times in a row, and after getting sick of hearing about a Red Rider BB gun and seeing a little boy in pink, bunny pajamas he decided to take a little stroll around town.
He walked the streets almost is a daze. He looked at the Christmas lights and decorations all over San Diego. On occasion he could glance through a window and spy a happy family opening gifts or eating a large turkey dinner. After aimlessly strolling the streets for about an hour, Darien found himself at the beach. He sat down on a small rock and stared into the ocean. He found himself remembering another Christmas; a memory that was much happier than his earlier memory of Kevin and his video camera and of him storming out on his only family...
"Christmas at the beach! We're having Christmas at the beach. Oh yeah!" sang a happy 12 year old Darien Fawkes.
"Geez, calm down D! It's not that exciting," smiled Darien's 14 year old brother, Kevin. Although, on the inside, Kevin was just as thrilled as his brother was. Yet, being the oldest he had to maintain some level of composure.
Their uncle was driving, with their aunt in the passenger seat humming "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and occasionally glancing back at the two boys and smiling. Darien was doing his best not to peak under the blanket in the back of the car, which was hiding the presents. Peter Donovan had been able to secure a small, but quaint beach house through one of his friends at work, a Mr. Charlie Borden. When he had told the boys, they went crazy- chasing each other through the house, then hurriedly packing their belongings.
It wasn't just that it was Christmas at the beach. The boys has always spent Christmas there with their mother, but when she died, the tradition seemed to die with her. When they heard they were going there this Christmas, it seemed to them, especially Darien, that a part of her was still living on.
"Can we open presents first?" asked Darien.
"Well," said Celia, "let's get our things unpacked first. Then we can take it from there alright? Aren't you two going to be a little hungry?"
"I am a little hungry," spoke Kevin.
"No he's not! Really! It's nothing that an Eggo and some orange juice can't cure. Right Kevin? He's just kidding. He really wants to open gifts first. He told me so last night!" Darien exclaimed, quickly trying to cover for his brother's response.
"I guess you are right Darien. I think I might be able to make it. Besides, after we open gifts, Uncle Peter said that I could help him with one of his new experiments..."
Kevin smiled at his aunt. For as much as Darien could tease him, he could always tease back. After all, he was the older brother. When Kevin finished speaking, Darien's eyes got wider with joy and he fidgeted more in his seat, staring out the window to get the first glance at the beach house.
The ride took about two hours, but it was well worth it. Darien was the first to spot the house and the beach.
"Look! Look Kev! There it is! It looks just like the beach Mom used to take us to. See! The sand's all yellow and look how blue the water is!"
"All beaches look like that, twerp. But it is beautiful isn't it?"
"Okay boys," said their uncle as he parked the car. "Kevin, you take the keys and go inside. Your boys' room is upstairs. You're going to have to share one for a few nights. Do you think you can survive?"
Peter laughed.
"Sure thing, Uncle Peter. Come on Darien. Grab your stuff. Last one to the house is a rotten egg!"
Darien and Kevin grabbed their stuff and leaped out of the car. It seemed to be a close tie when Darien shoved Kevin into the sand, dropped his own stuff, and ran to the door of the house.
"You cheated Darien! When I catch you, your ass is grass!"
"That's if you can catch me Kevin!"
The two boys ran around in the sand, leaving footprints everywhere. Kevin would tackle Darien and then Darien would turn around and chase Kevin. It was when Darien tricked Kevin into falling into the water that their aunt and uncle broke up the chase.
"Alright boys! That's enough!" called Celia. "Into the house! As soon as you're unpacked he can open presents!"
"Yes!" they cried together and gave each other a high five.
Kevin reached into his wet pocket and handed the key to Peter. He was soaking wet.
"Uh, Kevin, you might want to change first, then unpack your clothes. The bathroom is right inside."
"No problem, Uncle Peter!"
They all filed into the house, Darien barging his way through, and then went to their respective rooms. About an hour later they were all ready to open their presents. Kevin and Darien each got the most, of course, and were all pleased with the gifts they got. After opening all the gifts, the whole family seemed to be floating in wrapping paper and the boys were busy playing with the biggest of their gifts. Kevin had received a brand new, deluxe edition Chemistry set, complete with a new microscope. Darien got a new tv for his room at home, plus cable for his room too, and the new edition of Bartlett's Familiar Quotations.
The house was cozy. Christmas songs played in the background. Peter and Celia snuggled together on the couch with some coffee while they watched the boys and their new things. It was the perfect Christmas scene. That night, as Kevin and Darien went to sleep, Darien asked his brother a question that was of the utmost importance to him.
"Kevin?"
"Yeah, Dare?"
"Christmas is always gonna be like this, right? I mean, we'll always be together right and we'll always have fun on Christmas and we'll get along? I mean, that's what counts, isn't it Kev?"
"Yeah, Dare," Kevin yawned. "That is what matters and I'm sure we'll always be together for Christmas. I can just see us now- two old men sitting around a fire somewhere with our kids and grandkids, and we'll still be teasing the heck out of each other."
"Yeah, two old guys..." Darien yawned. The two brothers fell deep asleep dreaming of all their Christmases to come...
A distant ship horn blew and Fawkes came out of his dream-like state. He sighed. He had believed what Kevin had said that Christmas. So had Kevin, but that night neither of them had dreamt that Darien would turn into some angry-at-the-world teenager turned thief or that in several years Kevin would be killed by some terrorist in a lab in Mexico before he got the chance to grow old.
"Yeah, two old guys," muttered Darien.
He got up from the rock and realized it was starting to get dark. While walking home he spotted a flower store that happened to be open. He bought a small poinsettia and headed over to Francine Memorial Cemetery, row five, plot two. He placed the small flower by the grave and stared at the tombstone with such a hatred that he felt like he could burn a hole in it with his eyes. After a few minutes he dropped his head and a tear came to his eye. He quickly wiped it away and tried to regain what composure he had left.
"Hey, I'm The Invisible Man, not Superman," he said, trying to cheer himself up, but his laugh trailed off and tapered into a slight cry of anguish.
"Oh, that's real funny Darien," he scolded himself. "You are such the comedian."
Fawkes walked away from his brother's grave without even a second look back. He found an open Wawa and bought some egg nogg. Then he headed to the liquor store and bought some cheap Vodka, or something. He really didn't pay too much attention to what was on the label.
"Have a Merry Christmas, sir," mumbled the obviously tired clerk.
"Yeah, you too," said Darien.
"I'm Jewish," snapped the woman.
"Whoa, sorry. Happy Hanukah, then."
The woman just responded with a cynical smile and turned her head back to the magazine she had been reading. Darien left the building and headed back to his apartment.
"Everyone's just so happy around the holidays, aren't they?" he said to no one in particular.
At his apartment he took a large glass and mixed a little egg nogg with a lot of Vodka. He sat at his kitchen counter, and smelled the vile creation.
"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!" he sneered and took a long gulp from the glass. After awhile he stopped adding the egg nogg and just drank from the bottle. When he realized it was empty he plopped his head down on the counter and fell asleep, the bottle still in his hand. He dreamt of Arnaud, Stark, and Kevin's death. The normal, happy Christmas dreams. That night his depression meter almost went through the roof.
TBC
Feedback is appreciated.
Just a little side note- I know this part didn't have really anything to do with the "job" but I thought it would be important if you knew how Darien spent his Christmas. I know, I know. There's so much angst, but it does give insight to his depression, at least I hope.