*2*
The cherry trees were in bloom. That might be the one thing Darien would remember about this little trip to D.C. Oh, and that it was snowing. Big, huge, honking, wet snowflakes driven by a stiff wind and that stuck to everything. So, while the cherry trees might be in bloom, they were also plastered with snow and looking for all the world like odd sculptures that only patrons of the arts understood and that your tax dollars probably paid for.
Okay, so some part of him had known that April on the east coast was nothing like that in southern California. That it could get a little weird, a little wild, but this was just nuts. And cold, damn cold. The last time he'd been involved with this bone deep chill he'd been stuck at a terrorist convention in a blizzard with Bobby, Claire, and Alyx. At least the driver of the car had noticed his violent shivering and cranked the heat without comment. Maybe living in California made him thin-blooded, but he also knew it was because he was so damn skinny. Little or no insulation to keep in any of the heat he did manage to generate. His lack of appropriate wardrobe didn't help much either. Clothes that were more than warm enough back home were doing little or no good here. And leather, as good as it looked on him, did nothing to keep the heat in.
Hobbes was not having the same problem. Having grown up in Brooklyn he more than remembered exactly how weird the weather could get; checking the local forecasts before packing had helped as well. He had seen the warnings for a nasty cold front and had packed accordingly. It was after the meeting today that problems could arise. They had no idea if they were going to be in town for the next week or if they were going to be moving on from here to warmer, or even colder, climes. So the contents of his bags were a bit odd; everything from the heavy wool sport coat he was currently wearing, to the lighter linen that would work in anything short of Amazonian jungle conditions.
They were actually running on time today, though it was more because of the government baby-sitters than any effort on their part. They'd been put up in a really nice suite, separate bedrooms and everything so Darien hadn't had to suffer through listening to Hobbes snore all night long. Darien had tried calling Alyx a few times, but been rerouted to her voicemail every time. When he called the house, via a politely requested secure line, he'd been told by Mike that she was currently incommunicado and would be for several days, thus dashing Darien's faint hope of seeing her while they were in town.
When they pulled through the huge and very fortified gates to the Pentagon, Darien and Hobbes exchanged a look, but voiced neither their confusion nor their concerns. The sight of the section that was still being rebuilt -- the flag waving bravely in the stiff wind -- also kept them silent. A reminder of what exactly they were fighting for.
While Hobbes had spent several years in the armed forces -- Marines -- Darien had never had anything to do with the military. As far as he knew, with the exception of that little Navy Brock-related incident several years ago, they had done nothing but occasionally crossed paths with any facet of the military in the course of their work.
They did know that Claire had worked for the DOD at one time -- as a civilian -- but when Darien had mouthed her name with an obvious questioning look on his face to Hobbes, he quickly shook his head. As far as they knew the mook -- Grimmond -- was still in no position to get even with anyone, especially Claire. That left.... They had no idea and both were getting more and more uncomfortable with the situation. While far more trusting of the government that Darien ever would be, Hobbes also knew how others would love to get a hold of his partner for just a 'mission or two.'
They were escorted through the blowing snow that seemed to insist on sticking to Darien's hair, much to his dismay, until it was nothing but a damp mess that hung down into his eyes. Through the first of several security checkpoints, where Hobbes' guns were checked and then handed back to him once they were verified as who they claimed to be. They then went through five more security checkpoints as well as down two levels in the building itself. Darien had known the building was huge, but the knowledge was nothing compared to the experience. He also felt very out of place in his jeans, heavy sweater and leather jacket when everyone else was either in a military uniform or some version of the standard issue G-man suit. Then again, based on some of the envious looks tossed his way as they walked, he might be the only comfortable person here.
They ended up in an area that appeared to be Navy-run and Darien finally broke. "Why here? Why not someplace... oh, I don't know, less fortified?"
Their escort, whose name Darien had never caught, actually cracked a smile. "Security," He stopped before a set of double doors and spoke to the guards outside for a second before one swung the doors open for them. "And it's neutral territory." He turned to face Hobbes and Darien. "Gentlemen, thank you for your patience. Other arrangements have been made for your return to your hotel. Good day." The man turned sharply and left the room leaving the two men to face a couple dozen perfect strangers.
"Hobbes, what the hell is going on?"
"Not sure, Fawkes, but look at the tags they're wearing. We've got FBI, NSA, a pair of Secret Service bookends, and ... surprise, surprise ... CIA." He strolled forward with Darien trailing along. "Seem at all familiar?"
"Crap. Yeah. That little renegade assassin mission we got set up on." Hard to forget how that one played out.
"How is your grandma anyway?" Hobbes asked as they slowly made their way to where a sideboard was set up with a variety of danish and coffees. "At least their gonna feed us."
"Madeline is fine, as you well know, since you followed me the last time I went up there. And, yes, she liked the Christmas present even if it was late." Darien grinned as he grabbed a mug and filled it with what he hoped was high test. When he turned around he just about dumped it all over himself in surprise. "Alyx! What are you doing here?"
With a little mental help from her she kept the hot coffee in his cup and not all over the gorgeous dark brown v-neck sweater he was wearing. "Same thing as you, waiting to be told why the hell I was dragged back across the country." She turned to the man standing next to him and gave Hobbes a very unprofessional kiss on the cheek. "Hiya, Bobby."
He wagged a finger at her in mock anger. "Kid... Good to see ya." He pulled her into a quick hug. "You never call, you never write, you never stop by."
"Hey, I had planned to take you to breakfast on Sunday... today." She waved at the foodstuffs. "This way I don't have to pay the bill."
"Well, well, well, back together again," a sickly sweet voice commented from behind her. "Why is it I have the feeling you called these two losers in on this little mission?"
Alyx didn't even bother turning about and just rolled her eyes in disgust. *Gray, if you would assist me, please?* she sent to a particular person standing almost unnoticed across the room. "Morris, I would not push your luck today. While they may not have a way to throw you overboard, I'm sure I can find an elevator shaft that will do." She winked at Bobby and Darien before turning about to face Agent Stephen Morris who had, somehow, crawled back up from the demotion he'd been given after the slaver incident he'd gotten the three of them mixed up in. "I can trust them to watch my back, unlike you."
Morris glared at her and was about to speak when he felt a hand come down on his shoulder, turned his head slightly to see who it was, and closed his mouth with an audible snap.
Darien was nearly as stunned. He had to actually look up at the guy to meet his eyes. Startlingly green eyes set into a face that was damn near pure Native North American complete with long black hair with that blue sheen to it, braided neatly on either side of his face with feathers and beads woven in, giving him a distinctive look that... worked. However, the suit he wore, while a perfect fit, just looked completely wrong on him. The guy was handsome as hell, even with the hard look he was currently sporting. For a second all Darien could see were animal skins, war paint, and a small hatchet that was ready to come down to scalp the little redheaded jerk. He tried to convince himself to not enjoy that far too pleasant thought, but with little success.
Hobbes broke him out of the sudden imagery with a surprised, "Holy shit."
Then the man smiled, and it was by no means a friendly smile, but a very, very dangerous one aimed at Mr. Morris. "I warned you once to leave Agent Silver alone. Do I really need to repeat myself?"
Morris, all ready fair skinned, paled; his freckles standing out even more prominently than previously. "N... no, sir," he stuttered. Then, before the expected order came from above, he quickly uttered the necessary words. "My apologies, Agent Silver." Scuttling away he headed back to his little group of cronies to either be laughed at or commiserated with.
Alyx had to bite her lip to keep from giggling. She could have handled Morris herself, but it was more fun this way, plus she got to introduce her friends to each other. "Darien Fawkes, Bobby Hobbes," She pointed to each man in turn. "I'd like you to meet my partner, Xavier Graywolf."
"This is your partner?" Darien just barely managed to keep his voice from doing a prepubescent squeak. He did successfully put his hand out to be shaken and was thankful afterwards that the man hadn't crushed it.
"Jeeze, kid, they couldn't find a bigger one for ya?" Hobbes commented as he shook the huge hand once Darien had been freed from the grasp.
Alyx laughed softly even as Gray released Bobby and answered, "My size was one of the reasons I was chosen to partner her."
"And the others?" Darien asked, out of sheer curiosity.
"He is a bit more, hmm... accepting of those with unique talents. Our entire unit is that way. A gifted paired with an ord." When Gray lifted an eyebrow Alyx amended her statement. "Far from ordinary that you are." She turned to Bobby. "He has packed a lot of experience into his years. I couldn't have chosen better for the unit."
"Not true, you picked all the rest. You just had a blind spot when it came to choosing a partner for yourself." Gray turned his gaze on Darien. "And now I have met the reason why."
Darien met the guy's eyes calmly and saw about the last thing he expected. Somewhere along the way Alyx's partner, her friend, had gone slightly beyond the care and loyalty. From what Darien could see the man had fallen for her. 'Oh, great,' Darien thought. 'This is not what I need.'
"Kid, are you the reason we got tapped for this?" Hobbes asked as he watched the staring contest between Fawkes and Graywolf. Even counting the hair, Graywolf topped Fawkes by several inches.
"I made the calls, but, yes, it was on her recommendation," Graywolf answered as he broke eye contact with Darien to focus on Bobby.
Alyx shrugged. "One of my hunches. When I was given the bare bones for this I knew you guys should be on it. So, since I was in transit, I had Gray here make the calls. Had to bribe the 'Fish, but it'll be worth it." She brushed a stray hair off her face and Darien noticed, for the first time, that she was wearing a pair of light gray gloves.
He took her hand. "What's with this?"
"Contact, remember? In this town I don't dare get a head full of someone. Don't really want to either." Alyx gave his hand a squeeze and smiled. "Just another compromise."
"Hell, Alyx, you shouldn't have to make compromises." Darien tried to hide his unhappiness over the situation, but didn't succeed very well.
"Fawkes, we all do. The kid here just has to make ones that seem a bit larger than ours." Hobbes nudged his friend in the ribs, getting him to release her hand. It was going to be damn hard to keep the entire district from knowing they were a pair if he didn't stop making cow eyes at her. In this town any relationship was dangerous. He lowered his voice and whispered hoarsely at him. "Work, Fawkes. Now is neither the time nor the place for you to get all happy."
Alyx couldn't help but overhear and snickered while Darien sighed dramatically. "Yes, oh wise and powerful Oz. Sheesh."
Her head tipped slightly to the side and she muttered, "Finally."
"Sil?" Graywolf asked as he set a hand on her shoulder.
"Oh, the big wigs are here to finally get this moving," Alyx explained as she looked up at the man. "Shall we?" She gestured for them all to move to the conference table and they sat about midway down one side all in a row. Alyx sandwiched between Darien and Graywolf.
About half of the others who noticed the quartet sitting at the table followed suit, including the Secret Service agents, but not the other CIA agents, who continued their discussion with the occasionally sneering glance in their direction.
"It could be worse," Darien muttered with a sigh after Morris looked over at them for the third time.
"How?" Graywolf asked.
"Jones could be here with the FBI mooks," Hobbes replied, causing Alyx to chuckle softly. He caught the look that crossed Graywolf's face. "Trust me, you don't want to know."
The side door opened then and three people, one carrying a pile of folders and the other a laptop, entered the room and looked about at the groups still standing. "If you would take your seats, please, we'll get started."
As soon as everyone was seated the files were passed out so that everyone had one, while the other fired up the laptop and presented it to the leader of the trio once it was ready. Alyx flipped through her copy with a seeming casualness that belied the fact that she was memorizing every page as she went. Beside her Darien hadn't even opened his and had simply slouched down in his chair, sipping his coffee. On her other side Graywolf was giving the information a quick scan, flipping through the pages to just get and idea of what was inside, much as Hobbes was also doing. Alyx already knew Gray and Bobby would get along just fine. They were both the consummate professional and both had their own style when it came to doing the work. The rules were important to both, but they both knew there were times when they needed to be bent, or broken, and did so without hesitation. Both men had had trouble finding suitable partners over the years and tended towards working alone.
Eventually though, Bobby had found Darien and a working relationship that had become a very close friendship. Alyx and Gray got along very well -- the entire unit did -- and it was looking to become a friendship between them as well. There were still quite few things they did not know about each other, including the fact that she was living a double life, but, much like when she had met Max Garret, she knew she could trust Gray and didn't even bother fighting it.
"All right people, heads up." The apparent ringleader of this meeting paused until he was sure he had the majority of the people focused on him. "I'm Agent Franklin, CIA, and I'll be heading up this task force. We have reason to believe a former agent is going to be returning to the states to try and assassinate Harrison Keller, who was recently appointed as a liaison to the Secretary of State on matters involving several Far Eastern countries."
The majority of the people around the table flipped open their files to look at a picture of Mr. Keller, including Darien, though he was radiating boredom instead of curiosity. He leaned over slightly to whisper to Alyx. "Corn fed white boy assigned to Far East affairs? A bit odd don't you think?"
*No stranger than sending a woman to mediate a peace accord in the Middle East,* Alyx countered, her face betraying nothing of the, now private, conversation.
*Ah, good point,* Darien admitted, and turned his attention back to those at the head of the table.
"Your mission is two-fold. Protect Keller and neutralize the assassination attempt. Capture would be preferred, but do not hesitate to use deadly force if needed." He looked over the room. "I do realize that teams will be created because of the different agencies, so what we've done is set up a database all can access. Any information you get, add to the database so that it's available to everyone. We'll make sure it's all coordinated and that duplications of information are removed."
Darien flipped through the file yet again and muttered something under his breath. Feeling more than a little foolish he stuck up a hand, ignoring the snickers of Morris and company, until Franklin noticed him. "Uh, who are we looking for? I mean, maybe all the rest of you know, but there's no name, no pic, not even a description in here."
"Agent..." Franklin checked the computer screen quickly, "Fawkes, that information has not been declassified and we are unable to supply it at this time. I can tell you the agent had been working as a deep cover operative in China for several years prior to his defection. Anything else?"
Darien was about to open his mouth to complain when Hobbes kicked him in the foot and muttered, "We have enough, Fawkes, now shut up so we can get out of here."
Darien grumbled and kicked Hobbes back, but shook his head to the waiting Franklin.
"Good. All the contact info is in the file. Get to work. I would like to see this wrapped up in days not weeks. Understood?" When there were nods around the table he stepped back. While the laptop was shut down, everyone else got to their feet and made ready to leave.
Alyx sat for a moment tapping the file thoughtfully. "You guys want to come back to my place for a while?"
"And what makes you think we're gonna work together?" Hobbes queried with a suppressed grin.
"Fine with me, but I can guarantee there are no cabs coming out here and I'm pretty sure you need a ride." Alyx picked up the folder, shoved her chair back, and stood.
"Kid, the 'Fish is supposed to hornswaggle us not you," Bobby complained good-naturedly as he too got to his feet.
"Agent Hobbes, you are under no obligation to work with us personally. Agent Silver thought you would be more comfortable using her resources and working with someone you were familiar with and trusted." Graywolf spoke very formally, maintaining that air of professionalism that would allow Hobbes to move out of the corner he seemed to think he'd been backed into.
Hobbes responded in kind. "Agent Graywolf, given that my contacts in this town are limited, I would be more than pleased to work with both yourself and Agent Silver." He nudged Darien in the back where he still sat, looking through the file. "Right, Fawkes?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Doubt anyone else would give us the time of day, anyway." Darien sounded distracted, he didn't like this one bit. Something felt off about this whole assassination scenario and it was at least partly because of the adventure involving his father.
"Not true. Morris and his goons might not, but thanks to him they don't like me much either. Part of the reason my boss allowed me to try this unit. She knows about our history and, in truth, she finds me more valuable than Morris." Alyx looked over at the man in question and shook her head. "At least I don't have to deal with Miller as well. He's still out at your end of the country."
One of the Secret Service agents appeared then, like a moving shadow. "Agent Silver, if I could a have a word please?"
"Excuse me," Alyx said, and moved off with the agent to be joined with his partner and they began a quiet discussion.
"So, Agent Graywolf, how long have you been working with Alyx?" Darien spoke up after a couple minutes to alleviate the sudden uncomfortable silence, and because he was curious. Alyx hadn't really talked about her partner except in passing and he was beginning to wonder why.
"Three months. She began putting together the unit four months ago while working her own assignments with temporary partners. We worked two missions before she agreed to partner me full time. Technically, the six of us work as a team and are paired off more for temperament and convenience. It's rare that we take separate assignments like this." Graywolf relaxed slightly as he spoke. He hadn't been quite sure how to deal with her previous partners as well as her current lover. But since both men seemed to be taking it in stride he could only attempt to do the same. Even if he could, as of yet, find no justification for her attraction to the man standing before him. Gray had pulled his record and, while his Agency work was impressive, his life before the government was worrying. He couldn't imagine how and ex-con managed to get a job even at the bottom feeding Agency -- even they couldn't be that desperate.
Darien frowned slightly. Three months she'd been paired with this guy and he'd learned less than nothing about him. He glanced over at Alyx, who was still deep in conversation with Heckle and Jeckle, before finding his voice. "And what does this special unit of yours do? Alyx hasn't told me much about it." Not exactly true, she'd pretty much told him all of her hopes and about their recent successes, if not in any great detail due to classified issues.
"Put simply we do and go where others cannot." Gray allowed a slight smile to cross his features. Most reacted to his non-answer with more questions that he would either decline to answer or would answer even more enigmatically.
"Finally using the kid the way she should be, eh? The ole invisible eavesdropping routine, with a little of her computer hacking thrown in, I imagine." Hobbes nodded and just barely kept from smiling at the momentary look of shock on Graywolf's face. "Hey, I helped train her. I know exactly what she's capable of and how I would use her. Glad someone else figured it out as well."
Darien wanted to make a comment about her being 'used,' knowing it was the last thing she wanted, but refrained and, luckily for all of them, the discomfort of trying to deal with each other was ended by her return.
"Okay boys, I'm ready to go. Gray, if you'll have the car brought around we'll get the heck out of here before my headache gets any worse." Alyx rubbed her forehead while Gray pulled out his cell and made the call that should have their car waiting for them when they got topside.
As she led the way out, Hobbes' curiosity got the better of him. "What's up with the Secret Service mooks? Friends of yours?"
"Ah, not exactly? Lets just say I saved their jobs recently and they were thanking me and extending an invitation on behalf of someone." They walked along side by side, garnering first, and second looks by many of those they passed.
Hobbes snorted. "What? Breakfast with the Commander in Chief?" He caught her slight wince. "Shoot, kid, you saved the President's ass already?"
"No, there was a, ummm... problem with his wife's car that I happened to be in the right place at the right time to notice." Alyx shrugged, like it was no big deal. "I informed her security detail, they fixed the problem, and she never knew what happened. Or so I thought."
The talk stopped while they were in the elevator, no need for those who didn't need to know to find out what they had going on. No one else who got in spoke either. They nodded politely and smiled, but didn't speak. In fact, the foursome stayed quiet until they were outside, forcing their way through the even more heavily falling snow, and to the SUV that was waiting for them. Both Alyx and Graywolf had long, lined coats appropriate for the weather and, on their walk, Alyx had secured her hair back into a quick ponytail thus keeping it out of her eyes. Darien and Bobby slid into the rear, Graywolf got behind the wheel, and Alyx climbed into the passenger seat. The vehicle was already warm, much to Darien's relief, so his attack of shivers was short-lived.
As Gray pulled away he half turned to see her. "Sil, we clean?"
"We are now," she muttered in obvious irritation. Sensing the confusion from both of her former partners, she turned in her seat to look back at them. "Bugs. A constant and annoying hazard of working in this city."
"Yeah, I remember." Hobbes turned to Darien. "One of the few occasions my paranoia paid off in spades."
"How can you stand living like this?" Darien asked in all seriousness. The changes he'd had to make working for the Agency were almost too much for him, even after all this time, even if some of them had become habit by now. He couldn't imagine how she dealt with it.
Alyx rubbed her forehead. "I just do, I guess. I'm only in town maybe three days a week. The rest of the time I'm either on assignment or ... working on that special project." She switched to her mind voice then and spoke to Hobbes and Darien only. *Gray doesn't know about my kids or Michele. He only knows Alyx Silver.*
*Got it, kid,* Hobbes responded, unpracticed as he was, he still remembered how. It wasn't something one easily forgets.
*Alyx?* Darien wanted to know if there was problem and knew she'd pick up what he was asking.
*Later, sweets.* She allowed some of what she was feeling seep into her words. Letting him know she hadn't actually slept since leaving his place early Saturday morning. That she was just as suspicious about this mission as he was. That she was worried about her family, him, her work, and was at a near complete loss on how she was going to work it out.
Darien leaned forward in his seat until his head rested near hers. "How bad?" He moved the hand that appeared to be trying to rub a hole in her forehead to get at the pain.
"Better now that were out of that building. Gah, I hate going in there. Way too many electronics and minds in too small an area. I can't do office buildings easily these days either. Mikey's still trying to figure out why I'm still getting so much bleed through." Alyx turned slightly and didn't release his hand.
"Still? Thought they had that figured out?" He rubbed his thumb along the side of her hand, making her sigh softly and relax back against the headrest.
"So did they." Her eyes drifted shut for a moment and when she opened them they were glazed with exhaustion.
"Rest, Sil. You haven't slept in three days. In this weather and traffic it's going to take at least an hour to get to your place." He took one hand off the wheel and cupped her face for a second. "You need to recharge before we get to work. Please."
"All right, you ogre." She batted his hand away with a tired grin and turned back to Darien. "My guardian, or so you'd think."
"He's right kid, even I can tell you're wiped. We ain't going nowhere. Catch some z's." Hobbes had leaned forward as well, prepared to intervene if Fawkes got it into his head to get upset with the way her partner was behaving. For himself, he wasn't too worried ... yet. He knew the kid was devoted to Fawkes and her partner had made it plain with his attitude that he considered himself her protector as well as partner. Though there was a bit of a vibe coming off the guy... Hobbes shook it off. It was far too early to go getting all suspicious. Give it another 24 hours, then he'd check the lay of the land.
"You too?" Alyx asked Darien and he simply squeezed her hand in reply. "Sheesh, you'd think I couldn't handle my own life." She managed about half a smile before yawning. The heat and the comfort of having three friends near allowing her to relax and drop her guard for the first time in days. "Thanks, guys." She was asleep within minutes.
When Darien finally settled back into his seat, sure she would remain out for a while, he rubbed his face in his hands.
"Fawkes?" Hobbes asked, leaning over to whisper the words. Graywolf might be the kid's partner, but he wasn't theirs.
"She's just tired. I hope she's just tired." Darien looked at Hobbes. "You know how she can get. Little Miss do everything. I... I think its getting to her."
Hobbes grunted in agreement. "Maybe we can help."
Darien shrugged and stretched his legs out, appreciating the fact he didn't have to sit with his knees shoved up into his chin. Alyx must have taken her far taller partner into consideration when choosing a vehicle. "I think she might have to work this one out herself."
