Invisible Man 2

Unwanted Affair

 

Finally a couple days off and he is still showing off, I glance up hearing music playing and yawn. I know those songs, he must have been going through my old recordings of records I had when I was younger. I kept the records in storage, but the CD’s were another thing. Stretching I sit up ruffling my hair and watch him carefully, he’s moving around the kitchen to the rhythm of the song playing, an old western singer and it makes me giggle.

 

Turning Darien offers a grin and waves. “Morning.”

 

“I think it more like nightmar-ing.” He pauses turning staring at me funny. “This is got to be a bad dream?” pretending offense he turns back to whatever he is doing.

 

“I should have known making breakfast and being smart would get you going.”

 

I can’t help but laugh at that snuggling around a pillow and peering at him through my curtain of hair, I feel strangely light that afternoon and glance at the clock. Reading it I make a stifled sound and hear an amused chuckle from across the room.

 

“Six in the morning is not funny. We’re supposed to be off.” I groan lifting the blankets over my head; I was even surprised he was up.

 

I hear the music turned up and glare at him from my hair, sometimes Darien Fawkes was impossible. With a great deal of unwilling effort I manage to sit up and allow my eyes to focus on him. He is still dressed in his sweats, dark spiked hair on end and dancing to the tune while cooking. Even though I’m not in the best of morning moods I can’t help but laugh at him, he’s adorable regardless of the situation.

 

He pauses in his work turning to put things aside and eyes me with a knowing smirk. I lift myself to my feet ignoring my shirt that falls back into place and eye my pant legs half up and down. Shrugging I pad my way slowly across the apartment and pause near the counter. Before I can even get a comment past my lips he lifts a finger stopping me and places something in my mouth, I smile realizing it’s a chocolate chip and shake my head.

 

“Chocolate chip pancakes, raspberries and scrambled eggs from yours truly.”

 

I lift a brow watching him flipping the ‘scrambled eggs’ and know better just by the way their folded into an omelet. I catch his shirt and tug him back seeing those familiar dark eyes and grin. I kiss him softly before making myself present at the counter on one of the stools.

 

I start to sing along with the song and watch him place the ham omelet on a plate cutting it in half before presenting breakfast. “Even more pleasant than breakfast is that.”

 

I give him a look for the smart remark and join him in eating breakfast. “You robbed my CD’s again, trying to make a point that I have weird taste?”

 

“If you do, then I must have even weirder taste…” I watch him carefully before taking a raspberry into my mouth. “…I’m dating you.”

 

“Hey!”

 

He ducks my slap catching my wrist in turn and grins. Instead of letting me win he kisses my nose and returns his attention to breakfast. I make a face when I hear the phone ring and turn staring at him with a defeated look.

 

“We’re supposed to have…

 

“It’s just Bobbie.”

 

“Bobbie?”

 

Darien moves to answer the phone and nods talking with his familiar partner while I watch him move around the apartment in the process of attempting to ready morning clothes, I realize he has something up his sleeve and wonder what it is.

 

“Get ready.” He offers on his way past trying to juggle the phone and find whatever he’s looking for.

 

“Ready for what exactly?”

 

He hangs up the phone and turns with a sharp ‘no argument’ look and smiles when I reluctantly move across the apartment toward the closet and the bathroom. I stop when he halts in front of the door with a curious wag of his brows.

 

“What?”

 

“Shower for two?”

 

I nearly choke on my tongue, that was the last thing I expected out of his mouth. I try to think of some sort of argument and fail miserably. It wasn’t like I didn’t expect this eventually, but I was quite sure that he had something a little less obvious in mind when we did get together in the sexual sense.

 

“Now red is a great color on you.” He grins disappearing into the bathroom leaving me there staring after him curiously.

 

“Darien…I am going to pulverize you.” I nearly growl before walking into the bathroom after him and noting with amusement him turn a startled shade of red and go half invisible.

 

I can’t help but burst into giggles at his expression, instead of giving him the chance to duck and cover I shut the door and easily toss my shirt over his head. I note with amusement his strange expression that goes from surprise to inquisitive.

 

Knock, Knock

 

“Crap.” He pokes his head from the shower un-amused by the interruption and feels my hand on his shoulder. “I know that knock.” He glances down at his wrist and nearly falls on his face trying to dive out of the shower.

 

“Claire.” I’m in a robe and past Darien before he can tie his and easily open the door. “Hey.” I smile seeing her hold up the annual injection before handing me extras just in case.

 

“Sorry to intrude on your time off…” she stops eyeing me and then Darien, slowly her eyes widen before she makes a strange sound. “…here and see you when your in later in the week.” She is out shutting the door before I get off two words with her.

 

I turn with counter agent in hand and take care of Darien’s injection before bursting into giggles. His Cheshire like grin indicates the same thing crossed his mind. Before he can get cute I tug him into a kiss and lead the way back to where we left off, needless to say we do not make it to the bathroom until a few hours later.

 

Emerging from the shower I towel my hair hearing him come out and feel his arms wrap around me. “I’ve wanted to get around to that, just wasn’t sure how to go about it or if you were ready.” I smile feeling his lips gently on my neck before tossing aside the towel and turning to kiss him softly.

 

“I tend to over-think…it’s probably good you took the initiative.” His kiss deepens making me wrap my arms around his neck, before we pull apart eyeing one another closely.

 

“Crap!” before I can ask he dodges past me and opens the apartment door sounding relieved before talking to someone and re-appearing. “Close your eyes.”

 

I hate to do as he says, but he was just being so cute. Instead of giving him a hard time like I commonly do I do as he asks and wait. I hear him shuffling around the apartment for the longest time and then feel his hand gently grip mine.

 

“Wait.” I don’t open them yet and feel myself gently tugged to the center of what I can tell is the bedroom area. “Open.” I do so finding a small batch of six red roses staring up at me and a small white box. “I had a little help from Claire, but I chose the color.”

 

I stare at the roses for a minute before he gently takes them from my hand and kisses the hand in turn. I’m glad for the time off right then; strangely enough I may not want to go to work again if he keeps this up though.

 

I lift out an ankle length choker style dress and tilt my head curiously, now I know he’s up to something and the fact he bribed Claire into this makes me wonder what is going on. I start to say something but he shakes his head and points to the dress.

 

“Now?” He ignores my slightly risen voice and nods watching me eye him for the longest time before I disappear into the bathroom.

 

I slip into the dress easily enough and twirl watching it flow around my hips and nicely down to my ankles. The material is soft cotton and feels comfortable despite my dislike of dresses. I take my time stepping out of the bathroom and note with a risen brow that he’s wearing a pair of black slacks and deep red shirt.

 

“Alright what on earth is going on?”

 

He opens the door revealing Claire and Bobbie moments later similarly dressed. Claire is wearing a deep red that shows off her dark hair and tan skin nicely, Bobbie looks surprisingly odd wearing a neat tan top and slacks.

 

“Night out.” Claire answers with a smile that broadens when she claps at Darien’s showing off the dress on me. “I like the color much better than the peach I settled on.”

 

“Peach!” I make a face giving Claire a once over. “I hate peach or any other shade of pink if I can avoid it.” Darien’s laughter indicates Claire had no idea what I did like and that he had been smart.

 

“She cleans up nice partner.” I kick at Bobbie watching him dodge with a grin that indicates he is going to give us both a hard time. “Watch it my friend.”

 

“Don’t want to.” I remark sourly hearing Claire laughing at us before Darien slowly pulls me out of the apartment.

 

We all settle in the van and I focus on the arm around me listening to Clair and Bobbie explain Darien’s trickery and how he felt we all needed time away from the agency. I just comfort myself with Darien tight at my side and watch them joking around until we stop outside of some dance club restaurant deal. I find myself lifted from the van, twirled and placed down beside Clair while both Darien and Bobbie discuss arrangements with the host inside the massive building.

 

I glance around the dimly lit room and notice that our table is near the dance floor, I keep my arm locked with Darien’s wondering how any of us were getting away with this and finally watch Clair talking with someone that I assume might own the restaurant. For once I am glad she knows so many people and realize it was her doing to help ease all of the stress we had lately.

 

I find myself moved to the dance floor and spun into a dance. Darien’s easy on his feet and I follow along enjoying his showing off. Laughing and dancing was one of my favorite things, but if it wasn’t for him I would have not been able to accomplish both. I noticed that Clair and Bobbie seemed to be having a good time and for once felt like I belonged with something.

 

“Come on partner let’s tequila.”

 

Both Clair and I stop staring at the pair walking up to the dance floor with some of the other men and watch them begin to do just that. I laugh with Clair both of us sipping at wine and enjoying the goofball guys we are with.

 

I turn seeing Claire focus on me and wonder what is going on. “I think it is his way of letting you know you’re stuck with him if you want to be and that he won’t ever let the madness win out if he can help it. I think Darien truly loves you.” I sigh before bursting into giggles watching both men crash beside one another.

 

“He needs to stop beating himself up.” I feel her hand on my shoulder and meet her gaze. “I love him too Claire, more than the official would like to know.” She nods watching Darien flop beside me and wrap an arm around my shoulders. “Show off, how was the bang up finale?”

 

“Painful.” Remarks Bobbie sitting down beside Clair and proceeding to wince. “Still was fun though.” Darien nods content with leaning me into his shoulder and glancing around the room.

 

^^^

 

Clair watches her fall asleep content to lean against Darien, it had been a long time since she seen him quite that happy. “She’s asleep.” He glances down brushing her hair aside before watching Bobbie take notice. “She loves you very much Darien.”

 

“That she does my friend.”

 

Darien give both of them a strange look and then glances down at her. “How could someone so not like me, care?”

 

“Talent?”

 

 All three turn to the voice and before any can react Arnaud and his men have guns aimed point blank at the sleeping form. Bobbie and Claire both eye her sleeping and Darien’s dark look.

 

“It takes considerable talent to find someone that can stand you.”

 

^^^

 

I recognize the accented voice too well and snuggle closer to Darien getting a glimpse of the idiot with gun leveled at me. I keep myself perfectly still before snapping my hand up and gaining the weapon in turn, I then promptly level the gun at Arnaud’s nose. I notice with satisfaction the others carefully disarm his men and watch Darien slowly remove his arm from my shoulders.

 

“Light sleeper.” I offer cocking the hammer and watching Arnaud make a familiar disgusted face. “Why can’t we have any time off, you’re worse than a bad penny.” To my surprise he offers a smug sarcastic look and watches my hand flick to my neck.

 

“This bad penny has plenty of luck.” I watch an elbow promptly level into Darien’s neck knocking him out. “Do sleep well.” I watch Claire and Bobbie too go down, before my vision blurs and I hear Arnaud giving out orders.

 

^^^

 

Aware of noise and a very uncomfortable position Darien slowly comes around and glances up at his surroundings. An elegant sort of house with a wide open living room near a lake and from what he can tell no one in the immediate area watching him.

 

He hears a muffled sound and recognizes the voice. “Oceana?” hearing no response he sits up brushing his fingers through his hair and notices that there’s a room off to his right.

 

^^^

 

I wonder where I am and take notice to a dark guest room from what I can gather and glance down seeing my wrists are cuffed together with a length of chain to move my wrists comfortable at my sides. Curling my legs under me I sit up and watch a figure stumble into the room, almost like their drunk.

 

“Ooooh crap.” I smile although the situation does look a bit on the bleak side.

 

“Darien?” My voice is a little raspy from lack of use, but he seems to hear me. “Are you alright?”

 

Stumbling into the room and managing a hold on the fireplace he meets my gaze. “I think so; luckily I have a hard head.” I crawl forward slowly and offer a hand out to him. “What the hell?” he notices the silver cuffs and tilts his head in confusion.

 

“No idea.” He gently holds the cuffs in his hand trying to figure them out and freezes when my eyes widen slightly. “Don’t!” he ducks when something comes crashing down missing his head.

 

I wrap the chain around the pole of sorts and yank forcing the figure to crash on the floor with a groan. Untangling myself I slip off the bed and move quickly to Darien’s side and feel arms wrap around me protectively.

 

Watching carefully Arnaud walks into the room tsking his now very sore goon. “I said to prepare yourself for both of them. She isn’t defenseless.” I catch Darien’s arm the minute he moves from my side ready to dive Arnaud.

 

I shake my head when he stops giving me a dark look, I don’t like how convenient this whole situation is and clearly he doesn’t get the full issue at the moment. Revenge is always a prominent issue for Darien when dealing with Arnaud, especially with circumstances as they are.

 

“Snake.” I wonder exactly what he has in mind this time, he has Darien and me and yet both of us are alive. (Not that I’m complaining.) In past experience with Arnaud he usually wants the gland, whether it kills Darien or not. I eye the cuffs on my wrist carefully for some sign of a trap within them and find nothing. “EW HELL NO.” The alternative idea that crosses my mind isn’t much more pleasant than the first one.

 

“How long before you get angry enough to kill her?”

 

I recoil; I for one didn’t need or want to know that Arnaud planned on letting Darien go quicksilver mad and kill me. I wasn’t so sure he actually would though considering the last time he had the chance and thought with a different brain than the other.

 

“He won’t.” Arnaud arches a brow watching my attempt at crossing my arms and failing. “He’s been there and the opposite of what you assumed would…might have happened.” I ignore the strange almost surprised look on Darien’s face and watch Arnaud’s displeased expression.

 

Realizing his error, he calmly turns and exits the room all but slamming the door behind him. I wait for a minute and turn hearing Darien’s laughter and smile, clearly Arnaud’s disappointment in finding out his madness does not kill me was hilarious in a fashion. I lift my wrists inspecting the cuffs closer in hopes of getting the heck out of them.

 

Jerking the chain and finding it stronger than it looks does not amuse me; I again study the links and design watching Darien searching the room for some sort of an escape route. Muttering under my breath I level the chain with the bed knob of the old fashioned style bed and yank.

 

“Ouch, damn it.” I wince painfully staring at my now red wrists. “That didn’t work.” Eyeing the cuffs again I stretch them to their full length and glare at the tiny hole.

 

If I had been like most girls I would have a convenient hair pin to deal with the evil cuffs, in the process of me being me I find that leaving my hair to fall where it likes and dresses don’t mix. I sigh flinging my wrists down and glare at the wall ahead, I bluntly kick at the door with a force that startles both myself and Darien.

 

“Do knock it off in there Ms. Thatcher.” I mock Arnaud from the door and kick it again for good measure.

 

I feel arms wrap around me in an attempt of calming me and lift my hands to indicate my irritation. His long fingers gently caress my now bruising wrists before observing the cuffs closely. I glance up watching his fingers gently caress the sore spots and turn meeting his inquisitive dark gaze. He gently kisses me before leading me around to face him and staring at the cuffs closer.

 

“Can I use them on his neck?”

 

“Please be my guest.” He grins at my irritation before feeling around his pocket and smirking when he pulls out a paperclip.

 

“Cliché.”

 

“It works.”

 

I concede to that, it was one thing I couldn’t argue about. One talent he had other than being part of the agency was his past as a thief. I watch him skillfully work the cuffs and finally hear a click, they thump to the floor and I proceed to rub my sore wrists.

 

“One of these days that temper of yours won’t do anything but cause trouble.”

 

“Look whose talking Darien….if I didn’t grab you where would we be?” He scowls at my obvious point before glancing around the room again for a way out. “He isn’t just going to leave us in here to conveniently get away.”

 

Darien stops in his search meeting my gaze and I can see the worry there, sometimes being right is so lousy. Instead of dwelling on what could happen I help him start looking for a way out and notice that Arnaud has cleverly left no way for us out, he unfortunately has gotten wiser since our last encounter. I hear him complaining under his breath and turn hearing a familiar click, Arnaud is coming to gloat and I’m not so sure I can stop Darien from ripping him apart.

 

I turn meeting once familiar dark eyes and wince, his eyes have the familiar red tint and it won’t be long before he completely looses control. “Darien don’t do it.”

 

It helps slightly and he collapses grasping his head in pain. I’m on my knees pulling him into my arms and hanging onto him for dear life. I wish I had the spare counter agent that Clair always has on hand for me to use, unfortunately my dress doesn’t offer a concealing option on that aspect. I glance up seeing Arnaud standing there with that same smug look on his face and glower.

 

He starts around us observing Darien nearly buried in my lap and tilts his head to the side. “How long can you keep him from completely going?”

 

“You mean before I allow him to rip your throat out?” I hiss generally annoyed and willing to turn him loose.

 

Arnaud glances down at his watch and shrugs. “He won’t be able to. I have the obvious worked out…” he pauses eyes leveled at mine. “…Are you going to miss him?” his smirk is enough to make me loose my own cool.

 

Gently I pull away from Darien and am on my feet, Arnaud doesn’t seem overly concerned considering my past history with him. I glance down at my dress and realize why he doesn’t feel threatened; I allow my own dark smile and easily kick him in the chest sending him into the wall.

 

“I’m not lady like.”

 

CRACK

 

I also forgot just how gentlemen like he was and land on the floor hand against my face; coldly I lift my eyes to his and see the amusement there. He was waiting for me to loose my cool, he had planned it.

 

“I remember.”

 

Darien is curled trying to control his quick silver madness while Arnaud casually walks from the room and slams the door behind him. I quickly crawl over again cradling Darien in my arms and wonder what I can do to help us both.

 

I feel him shift and meet dark eyes, he hasn’t lost it yet but I know it won’t be long. His fingers gently touch my cheek making me wince slightly. I see his anger there and shake my head catching his hand against my heart. I won’t let him go charging anywhere when I know at any time I can loose him to Arnaud or the madness.

 

“Darien.” I realize that I may loose him, that one thing crashes quickly on my shoulders and with that I stand. I shake my head when he starts to question and wander over to one of the windows. It’s vast and left easily unguarded by bars, cautious and knowing just how clever the culprit involved in our capture was I open the window and glance out.

 

It’s a small balcony and appears harmless enough until I walk out and glance below. I see that Arnaud still has a thing for the beach and dislike the view of the rocky cliffs below. Swearing I move back into the room and all but slam my fist against the wall.

 

“Such bad language.”

 

“Great, just damn peachy.” I see Darien is now gone and note that all too familiar smile turn almost dark. “Don’t you even think about it.” He shrugs walking casually to the door and knocks. “Like he’s going to open it for you to throttle him to death.”

 

“He might.”

 

“I hate you like this.”

 

“Get use to it lover.”

 

I really don’t like that tone or his comment and flip him off considering if I can hurt the man I love or not. I rethink that and decide I can, before I can do so I hear the door click and freeze. Darien’s know it all look makes me irritated but I’m more concerned with what is on the other side of that door.

 

“Darien Fawkes!” I hiss watching him test the door and find it unlocked. “Don’t be stupid.”

 

Instead of opening the door he turns to me with a strange look, I immediately make my way out on the balcony and shut the doors on him. Dead ends were never my most clever of points; I realized I was now officially one of those typical blonds that are usually the targets in horror movies, I trapped myself like the true moron I am.

 

I watch him easily step out with a chuckle and narrow my gaze at him, instead of coming at me like I expected he glances casually down and back at me. I don’t like his calculative look and know he’s up to something.

 

Catching that look he glances behind him and notes my inquisitive nature take over. I walk cautiously near him still quite sure he won’t hurt me like Arnaud suggested. Glancing down and then meeting the shrewd look in his eyes and seeing his expression I wince seeing that evil smile broaden.

 

“You can’t Darien!”

 

“I can.”

 

“I won’t let you.”

 

“I remember a pair of cuffs that would state otherwise if you annoy me lover.”

 

“Damn it, you still can’t. You will, or at least might regret it eventually.”

 

“Really?”

 

“You are not a murderer, you’re Darien and I love you the way you are.”

 

“Get used to the change. Do I have to carry out my threat?”

 

Grudgingly I glance at him and can see he’s very serious. He will put me in those cuffs; he’s capable of many things in this state which doesn’t comfort me in the least. Seeing my resolve break he nods with a satisfied smile, turning to the balcony doors he pauses feeling my hand on his shoulder.

 

“He wanted you this way…you’re too predictable and easily read. In this condition he can kill you and have what he wants most.” Even though he’s in madness mode I still know who he really is and lean up kissing his neck softly.

 

Closing his eyes he pauses feeling the tenderness in my gesture, even in this condition he still feels something for me and he isn’t so sure its just lust. Sighing almost annoyed he turns slowly to meet my gaze, with a wry smile verging on sarcastic he opens him mouth to speak his mind.

 

“Well then sweet thing what do you suggest?” I glare at him for his sarcasm and sigh miserably.

 

“How about dropping the cynical pet names.” Waving his hands in a move on fashion I reluctantly give into him. “How about letting me think a way out, then you can pulverize him all you want. I won’t be able to stop you acting like…this.” I make it a point to be bitter even though I’m worried about his lack of personality at the moment.

 

Eyeing me suspiciously he seems to struggle briefly for a moment and then grumbles something incoherently under his breath. “Fine. Don’t get any of those pretty ideas in your head of tricking me; I won’t hesitate to stop you in some fashion.” I meet his red gaze and know he’s right, sadly I don’t know how far he would go in this condition.

 

Nodding I walk ahead of him and proceed to open the doors, not before I remove his hand from grasping at my ass though. “Paws off.” I want to badly slap him for that, but resist the urge and step cautiously into the room. Like I figured Arnaud was standing there are two of his rather large goons and not at all afraid.

 

“Not what I was expecting…” he considers my wary expression and his smile fades. “…how did you convince him to be so considerate of his life?” I shrug feeling Darien wrap an arm around my waist and am pulled back against him.

 

He leans casually on my shoulder giving him a haughty look. “She’s good with persuading me to play by her rules…for the moment.” He remarked softly seeing Arnaud sneer my direction with a dark expression clouding his face.

 

“Wonderful, she’s attempting to be your conscience…” pausing he makes gestures with his hands and both large me step at either side a few feet away from him, I can see the attack stances and know he’s planned something. “…how sweet, she has you on a leash. I didn’t expect that kind of effect from little miss prissy.”

 

I tense feel Darien’s arm start to free me and grab it for dear life, Arnaud just had to start pushing buttons. I hope he listens to the gesture and relax when his hand grasps my shirt squeezing it to maintain his over driven temper. Seeing no reaction Arnaud isn’t pleased and gestures at his goons again.

 

I release my hold on Darien making a point that soon he would have to attack the goons and then worry about Arnaud. “Arnaud, not that I care but you’re making a big mistake.” Giving me a look I ignore Darien’s glare already knowing he wasn’t pleased with my attempted warning.

 

“I don’t think I am Oceana.” I duck knowing Darien had broken off a piece of the balcony as a precaution and watch one goon go down with a sickening crack.

 

I watch wincing while Darien literally beats the shit out of the last one, backing up uncertain of this part of him I stumble into a corner and close my eyes hearing a table break under the pair now wrestling on the floor. Hesitantly I open my eyes and get a sinking feeling when I no longer see Arnaud where he once was, watching the last goon go down for the count I see Darien straighten ready to thrash Arnaud.

 

Click!

 

“Crap!” recoiling I glance sideways finding Arnaud holding a gun at my temple and am aware of him gently guiding me out of my corner and into his arms. The cold steel of the weapon makes me decide against any attempts of freedom, I know he will shoot me if he finds the need to do so.

 

“Are you mad enough to watch me shoot her pretty little head?”

 

Darien’s eyes narrow observing the situation, I swear I see a momentary flicker of panic and then a cold smile crosses his lips. That same crafty look comes into those eyes and I feel my heart plummet to my toes. (I can’t believe I was wrong about his darker side.) I stifle my sound of sadness feeling the gun guided slowly under my chin.

 

“If you hurt her you’re dead, if you splatter her all over…it will be very, very slow and I guarantee very painful.” Darien easily crosses his arms, eyes darkening in challenge.

 

“So comforting Darien, maybe I should just join him and live longer.” I snip before thinking about what I said and making a face.

 

“Unlikely. You broke his nose.”

 

“Perhaps she can be convinced? There won’t be anything of you left when I’m finished and the agency will hold her responsible. I’m quite sure that your boss doesn’t know how close you really are…” he moves the gun gently back to my temple and eyes Darien’s confused look. “…if he finds out, he will take it out on her. Somehow treason doesn’t sound pleasing to me.” I swallow hard and know Arnaud is right, somehow the official would find out and I would be so screwed.

 

“Claire and Bobbie know better.” Darien offers sounding for once less smug and very unsure of himself.

 

“That won’t matter and you know it.” I see Darien again calculating his options and realize that I’m just a casualty in his current state.

 

“He has a point.” I remark softly seeing Darien’s observations cease and his eyes meet mine.

 

“Traitor.”

 

“Look in the mirror.”

 

“Alright, do stop the lovers quarrel please.” Arnaud again has the gun at my chin, but instead of fighting I just shrug relaxing in his grip. I sense his hesitation and see him eye me out of the corner of his eyes a minute. “What are you doing?”

 

“Realizing my life is over when you’re done.” I see his hesitation, I know he isn’t that stupid but I had to try.

 

“Interesting. We’ll see how things are after I kill him.” Surprised I see the gun level at Darien’s heart; if Arnaud does it correctly Darien will live long enough for the gland to be harvested. “I just have to aim a little more to the left and…

 

BANG

 

I watch a hole appear in the ceiling jerking my elbow into Arnaud’s ribs and attempting to wrestle the gun free from his grasp. I hear familiar voices and in that moment of distraction I feel a solid blow to my face and moan in pain landing harshly into a counter.

 

^^^

 

“Oceana!” Claire is the first to follow in after Bobbie.

 

“Bastard.” Before either can react Darien is flying at Arnaud with a very large looking weapon.

 

Arnaud sensing his plan again go awry turns quickly to a hidden exit and smirks hearing a dull thud on the door behind him before fleeing his attempted capture.

 

^^^

 

Agents are crawling the area and Claire explains that they were all taking a day off to have some fun when the whole thing happened. The Official wasn’t aware of the entire story behind the situation and they planned to keep it that way, they liked it better when Darien and Oceana were happy and didn’t want to endanger that.

 

Claire indicated that Darien ride with Oceana to the federal hospice and was thankful he was back to normal again; he appeared to be wrestling with himself but was alright otherwise.

 

^^^

 

I hear familiar sounds that only mean one thing; I’m in the hospital and am not happy in the least. I start to wake and pause; I hear Darien’s voice and know he is completely miserable.

 

“I was such an idiot, I almost lost her. I wish this gland was in hell somewhere.” He continues to mutter unaware I’m awake.

 

I don’t really care to open my eyes, aware I’m going to have one hell of a headache, but I can’t let him continue to beat himself up either. Carefully I lift my lids, relieved that Darien had the sense to have as little lights as possible in my room and I smile at his forethought.

 

“It was that gland that kept us alive; apparently I can charm you in either aspect.” I feel hands wrap around my hand and smile softly at the relieved dark eyes that I meet. “Why the hospice?” I remark sourly.

 

“Besides a nice set of bruises on your face, you have a concussion and fractured wrist. He knew what he was doing and for this I will do damage to him.” He starts to go off into a rant, but I easily slip my hand free and pull him into a soft kiss.

 

“I know you will.” I whisper softly seeing his scowl turn into a soft smile. “What happened?”

 

After a rather long detailed story of what I missed I sighed miserably, it seemed that Arnaud would always be a thorn in our sides and it appeared to be for a long while yet. I remain as I am sure that moving will make the thrumming in my head increase ten fold, I smile at the water Darien has at my side and take a sip glancing up when Claire and Bobbie enter discussing what happened.

 

“Apparently the official is still…in the dark?” Darien hesitates seeing Claire’s expression turn dark before she walks over and carefully examines my wounds, welts and bruises.

 

“Yep, that he is my friend. We like you two as you are.” Bobbie takes notice to my condition and narrows his eyes carefully.

 

Claire gently tests the bump on my head and notes my discomfort, before she smiles softly and examines my cast. “I think you are very lucky to know how to fall with grace, considering what has happened.” I smile wryly at that but realize she’s right.

 

“Being a klutz has some advantages…sometimes.” I add glaring at my cast and sighing miserably. “You’re on sick leave until that’s healed and I somehow got Darien’s vacation extended a bit for both you sake.

 

I’m thankful for that much, Darien and I needed just a little more time together. It appeared they were going to talk softly amongst themselves, which meant sleep was welcomed and I took the advantage.

 

The End.