Chapter 11
Darien had watched with curiosity as Claire implanted the monitor and after that, Claire's artistic flare with the tattoo instrument. Ed didn't even flinch as he slept through the entire procedure. He wondered why she had chosen the moray eel for Ed at first and then it all came to him, the ocean, Ed's first love. The very thing that at one time was his escape from reality was now his link to it. The eel tattoo was eerily similar to his own; Claire had used Darien's tattoo as the foundation but added a few extra features, more teeth and the elongated fins that adorn the sea serpent's top and underside. The fins of the eel were in silver, the rest was the same, green segments that turned red at any given moment. Another little feature was that unlike Darien's, Ed's tattoo would also show how long he had left if he were to go into stage 5, the red segments would turn silver.
Darien remembered what Claire had said, "If the entire tattoo turns silver," she had stopped at that point, looked at Ed and her voice choked on the last words, "The gland will have to be harvested."
Darien had taken her hand and calmly said, "Just remember that it won't be him."
Now, as he sat in the Keep watching Ed sleep on the counteragent chair, Claire was upstairs in a meeting with the Official and Walter. "That was some sedative she gave you," Darien smirked.
He wished his senses went far enough so he could hear what was going on in the Official's office. But he knew what the Official wanted and Walter was dead set against it. The thought of the two of them pulling rank on each other and threatening a phone call to the President made him smile. When Claire came back, he knew that she would tell him everything.
Darien sensed the Official's plan when he had returned with not only the counteragent but the formula as well. The Official wants another invisible agent. Like him, Ed wasn't given a choice, but he should have a choice about this.
In the office, Walter argued that the gland in Ed's head was not paid for by the government therefore it isn't government property. The Official's argument is that the gland *is* based on a government project therefore it belongs to the government. Claire argued that Ed should not go out into the field but can best serve the agency as a scientist.
Darien checked his watch, 'This could go on all night.' He looked at Ed, glad that for the first time in probably weeks, he slept peacefully. Knowing what he had gone through himself, that won't last long. Before Claire had gone up to the Official's office, she had given Ed some pain medication to help with the implant incision and the head injury he gave himself when he used his head as a battering ram.
Darien heard the familiar swoosh of the door sliding open. He turned to see Claire come in. He smiled at her, "Hey, how's it going up there?"
Claire went over to Ed and felt his forehead, satisfied that Ed was fine, she pulled up a chair and sat down next to Darien, "I think Walter is going to get his way. The Official wants to use Ed as back up, but I don't think Walter will go for that." She let out a sigh, "I'm so exhausted, this day has been one emotional rollercoaster."
Darien looked at her, "Why don't you go lay down somewhere, I'll watch him. It's not like I don't know what to do or look for. I gave you a shot, twice. I think I can handle Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde over there."
Claire smiled and a slight chuckle escaped her mouth, "He's going to hate that now more than ever." She looked at Ed, "This is like one horrible nightmare that I want to wake up from but can't."
"Arnaud has a way of doing that doesn't he?" Darien took Claire's hand, "I'm sure with your help, he'll be able to come up with a cure."
Claire looked at Darien sorrowfully, "I hope so, Darien, but I just don't know. The Official took everything."
"Look, Ed had a chance to do some tests, maybe he remembers some of what he did and saw."
Claire blinked her eyes successively as if she tried to fight back tears, "Darien, I…" Claire was interrupted when she heard moans from the counteragent chair. She and Darien went to Ed's side immediately.
"Hey, sleepy head, want to get up and go home?" Claire said rubbing Ed's shoulder.
Ed's eyes showed great pain, not physical pain, but emotional pain. He stared at Darien first and then at Claire, "Is it okay, I mean, I won't go crazy?"
"Sweetheart, that's why I gave you the monitor and the tattoo, look," she pointed to the all green eel on his right wrist, "see, it's all green, that means you are far from quicksilver madness."
Ed took a hard swallow, "An eel? How do you know its working?"
Darien put a reassuring hand on Ed's shoulder, "She knows, you can trust her."
"I can't trust myself," Ed said dolefully.
Claire looked at Darien and they locked eyes for a moment. Darien turned to Ed, "Come on, let's go talk."
Ed pursed his lips together like a kid being forced to do something he didn't want to do. He reluctantly slid off the counteragent chair and Claire handed him his shoes. He put them on and followed Darien out the Keep. Claire watched with heartache as Darien put his arm around Ed's shoulder and Ed put his hands in his pockets. They had more in common now than before, and quietly, they walked out the door. Claire finally alone, she fell on the chair and broke down, she cursed Arnaud.
Darien led Ed down the hall and to another lab. Ed watched as Darien grabbed two chairs and placed one in front of Ed. He sat down and looked up to see that Ed just stood there and stared at the chair. "Hey, uhmm…it won't bite," Darien said as he motioned for Ed to sit.
With a sorrowful sigh, Ed sat down. His head lowered, Ed stared at his folded hands, "Is this how it was for you, in the beginning I mean?"
"Yeah, but worse, my brother was murdered and I had that to deal with, oh and the fact that Casey left me." Darien looked at Ed who hadn't moved, "Look, I know this isn't going to be easy for you."
"I know, but," Ed paused.
"The fear is what has a hold of you now. The fear of hurting those you care about and not being able to stop yourself."
Ed looked up, "I could have killed Tom and Sloan, oh and that other guy," Ed rolled his head back, "My God, Sloan, if Hobbes hadn't come when he did, I…" Ed shook his head, "How can I face them after what I did, tried to do?" Ed was not a violent person by nature and the events earlier in the day frightened him. The visions of him strangling Tom to near death and the way he had responded towards Sloan were still very vivid in his mind.
"They know it wasn't you, not the real you anyway. Look, that's where you have it easy, they've known you for a long time and know what you're really like." Darien watched Ed for a moment. He felt a lot of remorse coming from Ed. "The madness takes away your conscious. You end up doing things or saying things that you normally wouldn't. That's the whole point of it, that's the leash. It keeps you under control because you don't want to do those things again or now in your case, go through the pain of withdrawals. That's probably why Arnaud chose you, cause he knew what kind of a person you are."
Ed half smiled, "Yeah, what I did and those awful things I said were not something I would normally do. I guess I'm on a leash now and that leash is fear. And not to mention the pain I went through, I certainly don't want to go through that again."
"That is something that never gets easy. I almost killed Hobbes and tried to hurt Claire. The fear never goes away that one day; you won't get the counteragent in time. Claire put that monitor in you to prevent that from happening." Darien pointed to Ed's new tattoo.
Ed ran his finger over it, "Weird, that she chose this little guy. You know eels are actually shy, timid creatures and only attack when provoked or feel threatened. They have poor eyesight and really can't see that far in front of them, unless some diver decides to stick their finger in its face." Ed didn't look up at Darien; he just continued to stare at his tattoo as he spoke. "Kakua."
Darien cocked his head to one side, "Kahlua?"
Ed smiled, "No, kakua, that's Hawaiian for tattoo and 'puhi' is Hawaiian for moray eel."
"You never told me you spoke Hawaiian."
"I'm not fluent. I did spend about six months there after I got my doctorate. It was a much needed vacation and a treat." Ed fondly remembered. "I had a friend over there and he tried to teach me, but I only remember a few words and phrases. I figured while I was there might as well." Ed shrugged his shoulders.
Darien shook his head in agreement, "I don't blame you there."
"But I take it you missed the Pidgin I was speaking in the padded cell?" Ed asked with a smile.
"Yeah, but I uhmm…heard about it." It was Darien's turn to smile. "You got a language there, doc."
Ed let out a soft chuckle and then gazed at his symbol of his new life, "You know, there's a legend about a giant moray eel?"
"Really?"
"Yeah, it's Micronesian though, from the Marshall Islands," Ed paused, "I'll tell you about it another day, it's long but it has to do with a giant, a wise man, a giant mother eel, a halo and a father who wanted to bless his favorite son."
"Can't wait to hear this one," Darien smiled.
Ed looked down, "I guess I'm more like this moray eel than just being shy. Looks like I have a nasty bite too.
"Uh-huh," Darien smiled, "Hobbes said you had Tom in one hell of a hold there, my friend."
"Well, under other circumstances I would have taken that as a compliment." Ed thought for a moment and then smiled, "Thank you."
Darien chuckled, "I know what you mean, bro." Darien leaned forward in his chair, "You're pretty smart, I'm sure you can up with something to help you out."
Ed shook his head, "Thanks, Darien, but…I had a good look at Arnaud's notes. I'm addicted to the gland, taking it out now would be like implanting an organ that was not compatible with my body."
"Well, Arnaud did have his gland removed."
"Different scenario. Arnaud didn't intend on leaving the gland in his head. He was merely testing it and used himself as a guinea pig. It was modified differently, he wasn't addicted to it and it was improperly implanted to begin with. I saw his notes and the history. I didn't see the procedure that Chrysalis used, he kept that away from me, but still, it wouldn't work anyway." Ed sighed deeply, "But, that's all mute since that's research I won't be doing. The Official saw to that tonight or yesterday, whenever it was."
"I didn't think of all that. I've always wondered how Chrysalis managed to remove the gland."
"You're not the scientist, I am. I have to prepare myself that the tests won't give me any real solutions and that my Keeper," Ed rolled his eyes, stood up and paced around, "Damn, this is right up my alley, Arnaud gave me the riddle of a lifetime to figure out and I can't even touch it." Ed looked at Darien. He ran his hands through his hair from front to back. His fingers lightly ran over the scar. Ed sat back down. He was in deep thought.
Darien looked at him, "You think it will work the same?"
Ed looked at him quickly, "Huh?"
"The uhmm…gene therapy that was used on me to cure quicksilver madness," Darien said.
Ed shook his head, "I gotta remember you can do that," Ed paused. "I'm not sure, but it certainly is a starting point for me isn't it?"
"Ed…what are you planning? I mean, I could read your mind again, but…you're not serious…are you?"
"You bet your spiked up hairdo I am. Why not? I am the invisible man part 2 aren't I?"
Darien smiled, "I'll help ya."
"I'm counting on it," Ed smiled.
"Right, so when do we go in?"
"When my Keeper gets all the information from Eberts. I'll type out everything I can remember from my time with Arnaud. I already have all the records from Claire on the gene therapy she used on you. Once I get what I need, I can start my research."
"Now you're talking," Darien said with a smirk. "That's the Ed Tate I know, the one that doesn't give up without a fight."
Ed had a half smile on his face, "That's not how I feel on the inside. I feel like I'm two different people now. I've never faced anything like this before, the uncertainty of the gland. I have no control over it, well, basically I do, but you know what I mean."
"The monitor will work. As long as you don't use quicksilver, only one segment should turn each day. Claire or your Keeper won't let you go beyond seven red segments, so you really don't have anything to worry about, unless you have premature invisibility." Darien paused then continued, "Go home with her, Ed."
"You read my mind again?" Ed asked.
"Didn't have to," Darien said, "Look, you won't start stage one until seven are red and stage two won't start until you're at nine. Every six days you'll get your shot, so only six will be red, off course, as long as you don't quicksilver." Darien winked at Ed.
"I do want to go home, but,"
"I know, I know, but you can't stay here and hide from the world. You'll be fine, Ed. You've already got something that I didn't have. I lived alone, you have Claire with you."
Ed looked down at the floor, "Not sure if that's good idea or not. I don't want to hurt her…again."
"You know what the signs are, just don't go anywhere without the counteragent. Besides, she carries a really big gun."
Ed chuckled. "Speaking of counteragent, how did you get Arnaud to give it to you? I didn't think he would be that cooperative," Ed said gazing at Darien.
"Well, oddly enough he was very willing to give it to me," Darien said.
Ed thought for a moment, "Hard to believe that he would give up that information so quickly and easily."
"Well, I don't think he had a choice. There's someone else out there who was interested, they attacked us and blew up Arnaud's house. I think they wanted information on the gland as well. I can't help but get the feeling that we were set up," Darien said unfolding his legs.
"Really? Who?" Ed asked wondering what would happen now.
"That's just it, I don't know," Darien leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, "But something tells me, we'll find out sooner or later, we always do."
Ed didn't say a word, just stared off into space. He looked at Darien, "Make me a promise, Darien."
Darien looked at Ed, "I know, Ed. Believe me, I'll do it, if it comes down to that. I asked Claire the same thing."
Ed glanced down at the floor, "Will Claire be so willing to make me that promise?"
"Yeah, I think she would. She wouldn't want you to suffer," Darien said staring at Ed. He knew exactly how Ed felt. This was bringing back memories for him. He had a similar discussion with Claire and he could sense the emotional distraught in Ed.
Ed sat silent for a moment. Darien wanted to read his mind, but decided not to. He would just wait until Ed spoke first. It didn't take long.
"I do want to go home," Ed said.
Darien got up and helped Ed stand up, "Come on. I'll take you back to Claire."
The two men where halfway down the hall when Darien spoke, "So, have you quicksilvered objects yet?"
"Yeah, I did all that. Arnaud did his best to teach me. He wanted to make sure everything was working and more importantly, that I could shut it off." Ed paused and then added sullenly, "And he wanted to make sure that the mutation worked and does it ever."
Darien patted Ed on the back, "How 'bout we start some biofeedback lessons. I'm sure there were things that even Arnaud couldn't teach you."
Ed smiled, "Like how to control premature invisibility."
"Hmm… 'fraid I haven't figured that one out yet."
"So, I have 30 minutes of quicksilver time by myself…that means with Claire, I only have 15 minutes…hardly enough time."
Darien snickered, "I know a bitch ain't it?"
"A cruel joke, 'quickies' are not my thing."
~*~
Darien walked into the house and Darcy was waiting for him. She ran up to him, "How's Ed doing?"
He hugged her. "It depends on the moment," Darien said as he walked to the kitchen carrying a brown bag.
Darcy studied him, "I don't understand."
Darien pulled out a six pack and put in the refrigerator, "Well, he was afraid to go home with Claire, which is understandable. Then we talked and he was cool and all with it…"
"But…" Darcy folded her arms.
"But…later tonight when he goes to sleep and has his first nightmare…" he held Darcy in his arms again, "His gonna freak out."
"Is that why you bought the beer?" Darcy kissed him quickly on the lips.
"Yeah, I figure I'll give him, oh say about…" Darien looked at his watch, "…two hours and then I'll go over there with the beer and we'll talk some more."
"He's lucky to have someone like you to talk to, you know what he's going through," Darcy said as she sat down on the couch.
"You don't mind do you? I mean, with me being out almost all night." He sat close to her.
"Only if you spend the next two hours with me," she smiled seductively.
Darien tugged on her night shirt, "That won't be a problem." Then he stopped, "Oh hey, what did you hear from Mark?"
"You're gonna go and spoil the moment aren't you?" Darcy half pouted.
"Sorry, babe, but you know it concerns us," Darien said looking at her with his puppy dog look.
"OH…I hate it when you do that!" Darcy said waving her arms in the air.
"Still works, huh?" Darien grinned like the Cheshire cat.
Darcy looked at him depressed, "It doesn't look good, Darien. Senator Allen is gaining momentum in the Senate and has supporters in the House as well. Darien, I'm scared, I really am. I don't know what will happen if this bill passes."
"Well, maybe the President will veto it," Darien said with concern.
Darcy shook her head, "I'm not sure anymore. Mark says he's being pressured to sign it into law."
"Oh crap." Darien leaned back on the couch and then he looked at Darcy, "Mark isn't going to ask you to go Washington again is he?"
"I told him no, I want to be here with you just in case," Darcy hugged Darien tight. He wrapped his arms around her and let out a deep sigh, "You want a beer?"
Darcy gazed up at him, "You know what the surgeon general says about pregnant women and alcohol."
He smiled, "I was kidding." He pushed her up and brushed the hair from her face, "We'll get married before anything happens, I promise. Maybe with me being the government's ultimate secret weapon, we'll have diplomatic immunity or something like that."
"Darien, that may not be enough, I mean, we have no idea what will happen. If this bill passes and the President signs it, then other countries will follow," Darcy sounded generally concerned.
"Guess all that UN stuff Walter got for Mark five years ago means squat right now." Darien looked at her with concern of his own, "I want you to stay close to home as much as possible and keep in touch with me. You're right, we can't trust the government."
Darcy sat up and straddled Darien, "Make love to me."
Darien held her shoulders and pulled her down for a passionate kiss. For the moment, he was going to help Darcy forget about what their future may hold.
TBC….
Darien had watched with curiosity as Claire implanted the monitor and after that, Claire's artistic flare with the tattoo instrument. Ed didn't even flinch as he slept through the entire procedure. He wondered why she had chosen the moray eel for Ed at first and then it all came to him, the ocean, Ed's first love. The very thing that at one time was his escape from reality was now his link to it. The eel tattoo was eerily similar to his own; Claire had used Darien's tattoo as the foundation but added a few extra features, more teeth and the elongated fins that adorn the sea serpent's top and underside. The fins of the eel were in silver, the rest was the same, green segments that turned red at any given moment. Another little feature was that unlike Darien's, Ed's tattoo would also show how long he had left if he were to go into stage 5, the red segments would turn silver.
Darien remembered what Claire had said, "If the entire tattoo turns silver," she had stopped at that point, looked at Ed and her voice choked on the last words, "The gland will have to be harvested."
Darien had taken her hand and calmly said, "Just remember that it won't be him."
Now, as he sat in the Keep watching Ed sleep on the counteragent chair, Claire was upstairs in a meeting with the Official and Walter. "That was some sedative she gave you," Darien smirked.
He wished his senses went far enough so he could hear what was going on in the Official's office. But he knew what the Official wanted and Walter was dead set against it. The thought of the two of them pulling rank on each other and threatening a phone call to the President made him smile. When Claire came back, he knew that she would tell him everything.
Darien sensed the Official's plan when he had returned with not only the counteragent but the formula as well. The Official wants another invisible agent. Like him, Ed wasn't given a choice, but he should have a choice about this.
In the office, Walter argued that the gland in Ed's head was not paid for by the government therefore it isn't government property. The Official's argument is that the gland *is* based on a government project therefore it belongs to the government. Claire argued that Ed should not go out into the field but can best serve the agency as a scientist.
Darien checked his watch, 'This could go on all night.' He looked at Ed, glad that for the first time in probably weeks, he slept peacefully. Knowing what he had gone through himself, that won't last long. Before Claire had gone up to the Official's office, she had given Ed some pain medication to help with the implant incision and the head injury he gave himself when he used his head as a battering ram.
Darien heard the familiar swoosh of the door sliding open. He turned to see Claire come in. He smiled at her, "Hey, how's it going up there?"
Claire went over to Ed and felt his forehead, satisfied that Ed was fine, she pulled up a chair and sat down next to Darien, "I think Walter is going to get his way. The Official wants to use Ed as back up, but I don't think Walter will go for that." She let out a sigh, "I'm so exhausted, this day has been one emotional rollercoaster."
Darien looked at her, "Why don't you go lay down somewhere, I'll watch him. It's not like I don't know what to do or look for. I gave you a shot, twice. I think I can handle Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde over there."
Claire smiled and a slight chuckle escaped her mouth, "He's going to hate that now more than ever." She looked at Ed, "This is like one horrible nightmare that I want to wake up from but can't."
"Arnaud has a way of doing that doesn't he?" Darien took Claire's hand, "I'm sure with your help, he'll be able to come up with a cure."
Claire looked at Darien sorrowfully, "I hope so, Darien, but I just don't know. The Official took everything."
"Look, Ed had a chance to do some tests, maybe he remembers some of what he did and saw."
Claire blinked her eyes successively as if she tried to fight back tears, "Darien, I…" Claire was interrupted when she heard moans from the counteragent chair. She and Darien went to Ed's side immediately.
"Hey, sleepy head, want to get up and go home?" Claire said rubbing Ed's shoulder.
Ed's eyes showed great pain, not physical pain, but emotional pain. He stared at Darien first and then at Claire, "Is it okay, I mean, I won't go crazy?"
"Sweetheart, that's why I gave you the monitor and the tattoo, look," she pointed to the all green eel on his right wrist, "see, it's all green, that means you are far from quicksilver madness."
Ed took a hard swallow, "An eel? How do you know its working?"
Darien put a reassuring hand on Ed's shoulder, "She knows, you can trust her."
"I can't trust myself," Ed said dolefully.
Claire looked at Darien and they locked eyes for a moment. Darien turned to Ed, "Come on, let's go talk."
Ed pursed his lips together like a kid being forced to do something he didn't want to do. He reluctantly slid off the counteragent chair and Claire handed him his shoes. He put them on and followed Darien out the Keep. Claire watched with heartache as Darien put his arm around Ed's shoulder and Ed put his hands in his pockets. They had more in common now than before, and quietly, they walked out the door. Claire finally alone, she fell on the chair and broke down, she cursed Arnaud.
Darien led Ed down the hall and to another lab. Ed watched as Darien grabbed two chairs and placed one in front of Ed. He sat down and looked up to see that Ed just stood there and stared at the chair. "Hey, uhmm…it won't bite," Darien said as he motioned for Ed to sit.
With a sorrowful sigh, Ed sat down. His head lowered, Ed stared at his folded hands, "Is this how it was for you, in the beginning I mean?"
"Yeah, but worse, my brother was murdered and I had that to deal with, oh and the fact that Casey left me." Darien looked at Ed who hadn't moved, "Look, I know this isn't going to be easy for you."
"I know, but," Ed paused.
"The fear is what has a hold of you now. The fear of hurting those you care about and not being able to stop yourself."
Ed looked up, "I could have killed Tom and Sloan, oh and that other guy," Ed rolled his head back, "My God, Sloan, if Hobbes hadn't come when he did, I…" Ed shook his head, "How can I face them after what I did, tried to do?" Ed was not a violent person by nature and the events earlier in the day frightened him. The visions of him strangling Tom to near death and the way he had responded towards Sloan were still very vivid in his mind.
"They know it wasn't you, not the real you anyway. Look, that's where you have it easy, they've known you for a long time and know what you're really like." Darien watched Ed for a moment. He felt a lot of remorse coming from Ed. "The madness takes away your conscious. You end up doing things or saying things that you normally wouldn't. That's the whole point of it, that's the leash. It keeps you under control because you don't want to do those things again or now in your case, go through the pain of withdrawals. That's probably why Arnaud chose you, cause he knew what kind of a person you are."
Ed half smiled, "Yeah, what I did and those awful things I said were not something I would normally do. I guess I'm on a leash now and that leash is fear. And not to mention the pain I went through, I certainly don't want to go through that again."
"That is something that never gets easy. I almost killed Hobbes and tried to hurt Claire. The fear never goes away that one day; you won't get the counteragent in time. Claire put that monitor in you to prevent that from happening." Darien pointed to Ed's new tattoo.
Ed ran his finger over it, "Weird, that she chose this little guy. You know eels are actually shy, timid creatures and only attack when provoked or feel threatened. They have poor eyesight and really can't see that far in front of them, unless some diver decides to stick their finger in its face." Ed didn't look up at Darien; he just continued to stare at his tattoo as he spoke. "Kakua."
Darien cocked his head to one side, "Kahlua?"
Ed smiled, "No, kakua, that's Hawaiian for tattoo and 'puhi' is Hawaiian for moray eel."
"You never told me you spoke Hawaiian."
"I'm not fluent. I did spend about six months there after I got my doctorate. It was a much needed vacation and a treat." Ed fondly remembered. "I had a friend over there and he tried to teach me, but I only remember a few words and phrases. I figured while I was there might as well." Ed shrugged his shoulders.
Darien shook his head in agreement, "I don't blame you there."
"But I take it you missed the Pidgin I was speaking in the padded cell?" Ed asked with a smile.
"Yeah, but I uhmm…heard about it." It was Darien's turn to smile. "You got a language there, doc."
Ed let out a soft chuckle and then gazed at his symbol of his new life, "You know, there's a legend about a giant moray eel?"
"Really?"
"Yeah, it's Micronesian though, from the Marshall Islands," Ed paused, "I'll tell you about it another day, it's long but it has to do with a giant, a wise man, a giant mother eel, a halo and a father who wanted to bless his favorite son."
"Can't wait to hear this one," Darien smiled.
Ed looked down, "I guess I'm more like this moray eel than just being shy. Looks like I have a nasty bite too.
"Uh-huh," Darien smiled, "Hobbes said you had Tom in one hell of a hold there, my friend."
"Well, under other circumstances I would have taken that as a compliment." Ed thought for a moment and then smiled, "Thank you."
Darien chuckled, "I know what you mean, bro." Darien leaned forward in his chair, "You're pretty smart, I'm sure you can up with something to help you out."
Ed shook his head, "Thanks, Darien, but…I had a good look at Arnaud's notes. I'm addicted to the gland, taking it out now would be like implanting an organ that was not compatible with my body."
"Well, Arnaud did have his gland removed."
"Different scenario. Arnaud didn't intend on leaving the gland in his head. He was merely testing it and used himself as a guinea pig. It was modified differently, he wasn't addicted to it and it was improperly implanted to begin with. I saw his notes and the history. I didn't see the procedure that Chrysalis used, he kept that away from me, but still, it wouldn't work anyway." Ed sighed deeply, "But, that's all mute since that's research I won't be doing. The Official saw to that tonight or yesterday, whenever it was."
"I didn't think of all that. I've always wondered how Chrysalis managed to remove the gland."
"You're not the scientist, I am. I have to prepare myself that the tests won't give me any real solutions and that my Keeper," Ed rolled his eyes, stood up and paced around, "Damn, this is right up my alley, Arnaud gave me the riddle of a lifetime to figure out and I can't even touch it." Ed looked at Darien. He ran his hands through his hair from front to back. His fingers lightly ran over the scar. Ed sat back down. He was in deep thought.
Darien looked at him, "You think it will work the same?"
Ed looked at him quickly, "Huh?"
"The uhmm…gene therapy that was used on me to cure quicksilver madness," Darien said.
Ed shook his head, "I gotta remember you can do that," Ed paused. "I'm not sure, but it certainly is a starting point for me isn't it?"
"Ed…what are you planning? I mean, I could read your mind again, but…you're not serious…are you?"
"You bet your spiked up hairdo I am. Why not? I am the invisible man part 2 aren't I?"
Darien smiled, "I'll help ya."
"I'm counting on it," Ed smiled.
"Right, so when do we go in?"
"When my Keeper gets all the information from Eberts. I'll type out everything I can remember from my time with Arnaud. I already have all the records from Claire on the gene therapy she used on you. Once I get what I need, I can start my research."
"Now you're talking," Darien said with a smirk. "That's the Ed Tate I know, the one that doesn't give up without a fight."
Ed had a half smile on his face, "That's not how I feel on the inside. I feel like I'm two different people now. I've never faced anything like this before, the uncertainty of the gland. I have no control over it, well, basically I do, but you know what I mean."
"The monitor will work. As long as you don't use quicksilver, only one segment should turn each day. Claire or your Keeper won't let you go beyond seven red segments, so you really don't have anything to worry about, unless you have premature invisibility." Darien paused then continued, "Go home with her, Ed."
"You read my mind again?" Ed asked.
"Didn't have to," Darien said, "Look, you won't start stage one until seven are red and stage two won't start until you're at nine. Every six days you'll get your shot, so only six will be red, off course, as long as you don't quicksilver." Darien winked at Ed.
"I do want to go home, but,"
"I know, I know, but you can't stay here and hide from the world. You'll be fine, Ed. You've already got something that I didn't have. I lived alone, you have Claire with you."
Ed looked down at the floor, "Not sure if that's good idea or not. I don't want to hurt her…again."
"You know what the signs are, just don't go anywhere without the counteragent. Besides, she carries a really big gun."
Ed chuckled. "Speaking of counteragent, how did you get Arnaud to give it to you? I didn't think he would be that cooperative," Ed said gazing at Darien.
"Well, oddly enough he was very willing to give it to me," Darien said.
Ed thought for a moment, "Hard to believe that he would give up that information so quickly and easily."
"Well, I don't think he had a choice. There's someone else out there who was interested, they attacked us and blew up Arnaud's house. I think they wanted information on the gland as well. I can't help but get the feeling that we were set up," Darien said unfolding his legs.
"Really? Who?" Ed asked wondering what would happen now.
"That's just it, I don't know," Darien leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, "But something tells me, we'll find out sooner or later, we always do."
Ed didn't say a word, just stared off into space. He looked at Darien, "Make me a promise, Darien."
Darien looked at Ed, "I know, Ed. Believe me, I'll do it, if it comes down to that. I asked Claire the same thing."
Ed glanced down at the floor, "Will Claire be so willing to make me that promise?"
"Yeah, I think she would. She wouldn't want you to suffer," Darien said staring at Ed. He knew exactly how Ed felt. This was bringing back memories for him. He had a similar discussion with Claire and he could sense the emotional distraught in Ed.
Ed sat silent for a moment. Darien wanted to read his mind, but decided not to. He would just wait until Ed spoke first. It didn't take long.
"I do want to go home," Ed said.
Darien got up and helped Ed stand up, "Come on. I'll take you back to Claire."
The two men where halfway down the hall when Darien spoke, "So, have you quicksilvered objects yet?"
"Yeah, I did all that. Arnaud did his best to teach me. He wanted to make sure everything was working and more importantly, that I could shut it off." Ed paused and then added sullenly, "And he wanted to make sure that the mutation worked and does it ever."
Darien patted Ed on the back, "How 'bout we start some biofeedback lessons. I'm sure there were things that even Arnaud couldn't teach you."
Ed smiled, "Like how to control premature invisibility."
"Hmm… 'fraid I haven't figured that one out yet."
"So, I have 30 minutes of quicksilver time by myself…that means with Claire, I only have 15 minutes…hardly enough time."
Darien snickered, "I know a bitch ain't it?"
"A cruel joke, 'quickies' are not my thing."
~*~
Darien walked into the house and Darcy was waiting for him. She ran up to him, "How's Ed doing?"
He hugged her. "It depends on the moment," Darien said as he walked to the kitchen carrying a brown bag.
Darcy studied him, "I don't understand."
Darien pulled out a six pack and put in the refrigerator, "Well, he was afraid to go home with Claire, which is understandable. Then we talked and he was cool and all with it…"
"But…" Darcy folded her arms.
"But…later tonight when he goes to sleep and has his first nightmare…" he held Darcy in his arms again, "His gonna freak out."
"Is that why you bought the beer?" Darcy kissed him quickly on the lips.
"Yeah, I figure I'll give him, oh say about…" Darien looked at his watch, "…two hours and then I'll go over there with the beer and we'll talk some more."
"He's lucky to have someone like you to talk to, you know what he's going through," Darcy said as she sat down on the couch.
"You don't mind do you? I mean, with me being out almost all night." He sat close to her.
"Only if you spend the next two hours with me," she smiled seductively.
Darien tugged on her night shirt, "That won't be a problem." Then he stopped, "Oh hey, what did you hear from Mark?"
"You're gonna go and spoil the moment aren't you?" Darcy half pouted.
"Sorry, babe, but you know it concerns us," Darien said looking at her with his puppy dog look.
"OH…I hate it when you do that!" Darcy said waving her arms in the air.
"Still works, huh?" Darien grinned like the Cheshire cat.
Darcy looked at him depressed, "It doesn't look good, Darien. Senator Allen is gaining momentum in the Senate and has supporters in the House as well. Darien, I'm scared, I really am. I don't know what will happen if this bill passes."
"Well, maybe the President will veto it," Darien said with concern.
Darcy shook her head, "I'm not sure anymore. Mark says he's being pressured to sign it into law."
"Oh crap." Darien leaned back on the couch and then he looked at Darcy, "Mark isn't going to ask you to go Washington again is he?"
"I told him no, I want to be here with you just in case," Darcy hugged Darien tight. He wrapped his arms around her and let out a deep sigh, "You want a beer?"
Darcy gazed up at him, "You know what the surgeon general says about pregnant women and alcohol."
He smiled, "I was kidding." He pushed her up and brushed the hair from her face, "We'll get married before anything happens, I promise. Maybe with me being the government's ultimate secret weapon, we'll have diplomatic immunity or something like that."
"Darien, that may not be enough, I mean, we have no idea what will happen. If this bill passes and the President signs it, then other countries will follow," Darcy sounded generally concerned.
"Guess all that UN stuff Walter got for Mark five years ago means squat right now." Darien looked at her with concern of his own, "I want you to stay close to home as much as possible and keep in touch with me. You're right, we can't trust the government."
Darcy sat up and straddled Darien, "Make love to me."
Darien held her shoulders and pulled her down for a passionate kiss. For the moment, he was going to help Darcy forget about what their future may hold.
TBC….