***
He was relieved to finally be home after the busy day at work, yet he was troubled. While
picking at his meal he couldn't help but worry about his partner. Darien was a sensitive guy
when it came to his former life and Hobbes knew that Casey showing up again could only
be causing his partner grief. When Darien had signed on with the Agency, Casey had been left
behind. Charlie had argued to Darien, "Do you really want your girlfriend getting more
involved with this mess? Think of her sake." The Official wanted a professional Keeper on
duty and not some local doctor. Besides, Darien really didn't have a say in the matter.
While memories lingered on, the phone rang. After a few rings Hobbes came to attention
and got up to answer the persistent caller.
"Hello," Hobbes said in a dull tone.
"Hey," Darien's voice greeted.
"Fawkes," Hobbes stated in surprise. "How ya doing?"
"She called me, Hobbes."
"She called?"
"Yeah, Casey called," Darien repeated with excitement.
"Well, what did she say? What did you say?"
"I didn't say anything. She left a message on my machine. We're meeting for dinner
tomorrow."
"Hey, that's great...right?" Bobby asked.
"Well, yeah. I guess. I'm just so...I don't know," Darien struggled for words.
"Nervous?" Robert suggested.
"I mean, what am I gonna say? It's been two years. We have a lot to catch up on."
There was a silent pause and then Hobbes asked, "So, did she say anything about...
you know, this morning?"
Immediately Darien replied, "Oh, that. Yeah, she sounded very apologetic in the message;
something about a misunderstanding and she said she would explain things tomorrow night."
"Huh."
"Oh, man. It's late," Darien suddenly noted. "I guess I better get going. I'm gonna get
up early tomorrow and go shopping for something to wear to dinner. We're going to this
big, fancy restaurant and...well, you've seen my current wardrobe," he chuckled.
Hobbes tried to laugh too, but was caught with a horrible mental image of Darien going
to dinner with jeans and that bright orange shirt of his. Then he remarked, "Don't forget to
stop by the Agency before you go."
Darien was puzzled. "Why's that?"
"Weren't you listening during the Fat Man's briefing this morning?!"
"Not really," Fawkes admitted.
Hobbes groaned and then explained, "Since the Agency amazingly has no current assignments
the Official wants us to help organize the archives with Eberts. It's gonna be loads of fun," he
said sarcastically.
"Ah, man. Couldn't you get Alex to help you out just this once?" Darien pleaded.
Hobbes sighed, "Wow. You really weren't paying attention. Alex transferred. She's no
longer working with the Agency and the Fish was real upset. 'Not only did we lose one
of our top agents, but our budget is going to be drastically decreased due to the departing of
Ms. Monroe'," Hobbes quoted.
"Ok. Ok," Darien submitted. "I'll be there at nine. See ya there, partner."
"Great. I'll see you then."
***
Around the Agency people had a nickname for the archives.
It was rather known as
"The Paper Jungle". If that were so then Eberts would defiantly
be Tarzan for he was the King
of Data Assortment. Fawkes and Hobbes had spent their entire
morning taking orders on what
to file and where from the accountant. After three hours of labor
the two partners walked out
with nothing to show but a few paper cuts.
Darien sighed, "Is it just me or did we spend our
entire morning doing absolutely nothing?"
Hobbes nodded in agreement, "Every time I'd get
something filed Eberts would just come over
and undo it! I'm telling you, he said maroon files go
into Upper Cabinet C."
"No, man. He said purple. I even
heard that."
"Well, look who's talking Mr. 'I'll-save-us-time-by-quicksilvering-a-huge-stack-of-papers',"
Hobbes
snorted.
"Hey, it was worth a try, ok?" Darien shot
back.
Hobbes grinned at the thought of how Eberts had
completely panicked. ("Secure the area!
Secure the area! The Project AX20 files have been stolen!!!")
It had been worth it.
"Since we've got the entire afternoon free would
you care to join me for lunch?" Bobby offered.
"Can't. I got to get ready for tonight."
"Oh," Hobbes nodded his head reluctantly.
"That's right. So..uh..where will you and Casey be
dining?"
Darien searched his memory. "It's that new
place downtown. They serve Italian food."
"Ah. I read about that one in the paper,"
Hobbes commented.
Darien stopped suddenly, looked at his partner suspiciously,
and then muttered, "Oh, no."
"What?" The shorter man asked innocently.
"You are planning on following me," Fawkes accused.
Trying to act surprised, Hobbes replied, "What?
Why would I do that?"
"I don't know, but you..," Darien pointed, "..you've
got that look and I know you are planning
on following me."
"I wouldn't say I was 'planning', Fawkes.
It was more like 'considering'."
"Well, don't."
"Do I have a reason to?" Hobbes questioned.
"I don't need a babysitter," Darien said firmly.
"Why would you?" Bobby shrugged in agreement.
Darien studied him one last time and then sighed,
"Ok."
"Well, I got a few things to finish up here before
I go so I'll see you tomorrow." Hobbes turned
to leave.
"Ok. Tomorrow, NOT tonight!" Darien shouted after
him.
***
The sun was just beginning to set that evening and
the sky was a beautiful rosy pink color.
Darien, dressed in a black suit and tie, had made sure to leave his
place a half hour early. For
some reason he couldn't shake the feeling that Hobbes would try to
follow him. Bobby Hobbes
was a great guy, but he was always looking over his shoulder.
Darien had learned to deal with
his partner's paranoia over time, but he did not want Hobbes following
him tonight. This was
something personal Darien had to deal with on his own. Besides,
there was no reason for Hobbes
to be worried. He was just going out to dinner! This was
no assignment!
The ride over went smoothly. As far as Darien
could tell, he had not been followed. It would
have been pretty easy to spot the Agency's large, gold van. Fawkes
parked his car in a lot
adjacent to the restaurant. Glancing at his watch, he realized
that if he walked briskly he would
be there exactly on time. Quickly he grabbed his keys and wallet
and headed toward the
building. Unfortunately, he never made it to his destination.
After only taking a few steps a
heavy pain overwhelmed him and everything became black.