By PinkMagic (aka: Iman_girl)
The Official's office held an uncomfortable silence
during the early hours of a sunny California morning.
In contrast, the office had been joyous and chaotic the night before
when Darien, Claire, and Hobbes had
burst into the room to celebrate Darien's "freedom".
While clutching a large bottle of wine Darien
exclaimed, "Hey-ya Boss, Eberts."
"What are you three doing here? Eberts
and I were just about to close up for the night," the Official barked.
"Ahh...sorry about that Charlie, but I just wanted
to stop by really quick. I didn't want you to miss out
on this...this...." Darien gestured toward his partner. "How
would you put it Bobby?"
"Well, I think I'd call it a day a celebration. After
all, from now on I'll never have to worry about eating
hot doughnuts in front of YOU!" Hobbes joked.
Giggling hysterically, Claire added, "You know
Bobby, you and Darien better start thinking of some better
excuses to come pester me in my lab. You won't have to come
by nearly so often now that Darien doesn't
need his shot."
"I don't know about that," Hobbes countered.
"Just because Fawkes won't need counteragent doesn't
mean that we should lose the privilege of raiding your refrigerator."
"Yeah, and by the way you're out of strawberry
yogurt," Darien added.
"About the counteragent, sir....." Bobby began.
"I am assuming that the Agency will be gaining a large amount
of its profits back now that we won't be paying for the expenses
of the Keeper's blue koolaid. Since you might
happen to have some extra money lying around..."
Cutting in, the Official growled, "You managed
to keep your job Hobbes. I doubt that you deserve a raise. Just
because from now on Darien will not be effected with Quicksilver
Madness doesn't mean that you three can take
a vacation. I expect ALL of you here at work bright and early tomorrow!"
Darien sighed, "It's such a shame too because
it was cosmic bowling night at the Wild Thunder Lanes. Well,
I guess I'll get going. Here, you can have this."
After setting the bottle of wine on the Fat Man's
desk, Darien and his two friends departed for the night.
***
It was the next day and presently the Official's
office was so quiet that the only sound was that of the Official's
desk clock which was continuously ticking away with its seconds hand.
"I'm going to kill those two when they...or if they...ever
get in here!" the Official thought. The feeling of tension
in the room was being caused by a middle aged woman who sat opposite
of Charlie. She had been waiting there
for nearly thirty minutes.
Addressing the woman, the Official asked, "So.....you're
a doctor?"
"I was."
"Oh."
Silence....
The Official glanced toward his lackey and gave
Eberts one of those stall-for-time-or-die-trying looks.
"Um...would you care for some coffee?" Eberts offered.
"No, thank you."
Silence....
Sharply, the Official scooped up his desk phone
and punched one of its buttons.
"Are Fawkes and Hobbes in yet?" he demanded, and
then waited for a reply. "Did you try calling their cell
phones? Well, when they get here make sure that they come strait
to my office - no detours."
He set the phone receiver back in its cradle.
Silence....
"I hear that traffic is terrible this morning,"
Eberts commented.
***
Several minutes later Darien Fawkes slowly strolled
through the hallways of the Agency.
"This is the first day I've walked through these
halls as a counteragent-free man," he thought.
Suddenly the sound of running footsteps came up
behind him.
"Fawkes, wait up!" Hobbes hollered.
"Hey, you decided to come late too?" Darien asked.
"Not my choice. My freakin' alarm clock didn't
go off. I didn't even have time for my two mile run."
"Your what?" Darien looked at him with surprise.
Ignoring the question Hobbes continued, "I just
talked to Agent Miles. He said that the Big Man is
about ready to throw us into a lake. He says some lady has been
waiting on us all morning."
Darien's eyebrows raised in question, "Well, it's
a good thing I can swim. Now what's up with this...
..this...run?"
"You know....run, jog, a brisk walk, an exercise
by which a person has to move their legs --- "
Darien cut him off, "You go on a two mile run every
morning?"
"Yeah," Bobby causally answered.
Darien rolled his eyes in disbelief. "Yeah,
right."
"You think I'm lying? How else do you think
I've managed to save your butt several times from
all those freaks and criminals we are constantly chasing? Why,
when I was in High School I was even
on the track team and...hey! Get that smirk off your face! You
think it's funny that Bobby Hobbes was
a track star?"
Eberts apologetically tried to reassure
the woman, "I'm sure they'll be here any minute."
"Thank you, but I've waited long enough.
It's not your fault. I should've known he wouldn't show.
I'm actually in a bit of a rush so....."
At that instant, the door burst open
as the Agency's two top agents entered the room.
"I'm just saying, I always took you
as the stair-master type of guy...." Darien's voice trailed off as he
stared open-mouthed in amazement at the short, blonde
haired woman before him.
"Nice of you to show up, Darien."
she said with a hint of sarcasm.
It took Fawkes several attempts to
talk by opening and closing his mouth like a fish before he could
stammer, "Casey! What...what...."
"I'm sorry you finally got here, because
I can't stay any longer. I was just leaving. I'm running
late
as it is. If you had really needed me you would've
shown up on time....I have to go."
"Wait! What are you talking about?
How did you get here?" Darien questioned.
"Um...I got here by car and I'm talking
about the fact that after about two years you invited me to
come down here and you should've at least been here on
time." Casey sighed and then headed toward
the door.
"Hold up. I invited you?" Darien
asked.
Raising her voice, Casey shouted,
"Quit playing dumb, Darien! You think I'm stupid? I've talked
to your boss and he has never heard of that...that....'urgent
trial' thing you talked about in your letter.
Obviously, you thought it would be cute to try and set
us up again. We are through, Darien! Done!
I have a life beyond you!"
"I didn't invite you here, and I'm
not trying to set us up...well...I'm not going to argue against that, but..."
Suddenly the office door opened and
Claire walked in. She was quickly scribbling on a clip board as
she said, "Darien, where have you..." she trailed off
as she looked up at the chaotic scene.
"Well, this is most likely a bad time
for everyone. I'll be back la ---"
Claire was cut off as Casey
glared up at Darien. "Well, it looks like I owe you an apology.
You've
obviously moved on."
"Huh?" Darien mouthed.
"I hope you have better luck with
him," Casey commented to the Keeper.
"Oh please! Come on, Casey.
This is Claire! She's my Keeper....er...that didn't come out right,
but
I work with her! I swear! We aren't even
dating and no offense Keep, but...wait...WAIT!"
Although Darien continued to ramble on, it was
obvious that Casey was no longer paying attention after
the word 'Claire'. She briskly walked out of the
room and slammed the door shut in Darien's face. After
whacking his forehead against the office door several
times, Darien slowly turned around to face his co-workers.
Everyone silently looked at him with questionable faces.
"Smooth move Romeo," Hobbes said.
"I didn't ask her to come here." Darien
stated.
***
A man with dark shades on sat at an outdoor restaurant table. Set in front of him was a smooth black, lap
top computer. It had taken a great deal of work to smuggle a two inch camera into the Official's office last
night; however, it had been worth it.
Arnaud pressed enter so he could replay the video he had just captured of the chaotic scene of Darien
meeting up with his ex-girlfriend.
Chuckling to himself Arnaud muttered, "You may be free of Quicksilver Madness Fawkes, but that doesn't
mean the game is over."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I had a few more ideas for this story, but I don't plan to add
more chapters unless.... you all seem have a
great interest in this.