Rescue
by mardel
R
I just borrowed them for the story



Bobby shook his head and went to prepare for their newest mission. He didn't 
know why 
he had to be the one who dressed up like a homeless person. But he wasn't going 
to 
complain again. The Fatman had over ruled him once already. 

The stakeout was a bust and Darien and Alex were standing discussing their next 
move.
Bobby was still behaving like he was homeless laying under a shade tree and 
watching
the crowd. When there was a scream from the beach. 
"Help! he's drowning. Someone help!"

Bobby jumped up and looked towards the beach, he didn't see any signs of anyone
taking notice of the woman and her calls for assistance. He pulled his coat and 
shirt 
off over his head and sprinted towards the beach. 
"Please help, he's my only child." the woman wailed. 
Bobby was looking over the surf, he hadn't spotted any sign of a child in the 
water.
He waded out, then saw a flash of red in the water. He dove under the water and 
swam quickly towards the small still form in the water. The boy wasn't 
breathing.
Bobby towed him back to shore. Scared he'd reached the child to late. He spread 
the
small body out on the sand and started to give him CPR. By the time he was doing
chest compressions Claire and Darien were beside him. And just as Claire offered 
to
take over, the boy coughed and they turned him on his side so the water could 
escape
from his lungs easier. 
"My baby, my baby." Darien was keeping the woman out of the way, but he released
her when the child regain consciousness. 
"Thank you, thank you." 

"Your welcome." Bobby moved out of the way and Claire checked the boy over.

"That was great, you saved his life." Darien smacked Bobby on the shoulder, he 
was
smiling and staring at his partner. 

Bobby was standing on the beach dripping water. The water that glistened on his 
chest
accenting his powerful build.  "Is he going to be OK? Claire." 

"Yes, yes I think he will be fine." She answered then stood up. The paramedics 
had just 
arrived on the scene and took over. Claire looked at Bobby then, noticing how 
masculine
he looked shirtless. His upper body was magnificent. All muscles and dark hair. 
She
swallowed, "You were amazing Bobby, you saved  his life." 

"I'm glad he's going to be OK." he shrugged off her praise. 

"You did good Hobbes." Alex added.

Claire was stilling staring, she couldn't seem to tear her eyes away from the 
sight of 
Bobby shirtless and wet. Her heart was racing, she even felt a little faint. 

Darien was noticing her reaction to his partner. He was going to have to clue 
Bobby in to
the fact that Claire might not be off limits.

……………….. 

 Rescue 
part two
by mardel
R

I just borrowed them for the story 

Claire had been unable to concentrate on her work ever since that day on the 
beach.
She kept replaying the sight of Bobby, shirtless and wet in her mind. 
As often as she saw Darien half naked, and let be honest he had a very nice 
build.
It didn't make her knees go weak, or her heart pound faster. But that one look 
at 
Bobby and she found herself behaving like a teen age girl. She had trouble 
speaking
to him, tripping over her tongue. Staring  at him when he wasn't looking. 
She though Darien had notice her strange behavior, but she wasn't sure.

If he had notice she was sure he would have teased her about it. Darien never
passed up the chance to tease people. He as incorrigible in that way. 

She didn't even understand her reaction. Bobby's build was amazing, all muscle
and dark accent hair. His abdomen taunt and flat, with a ripple of  abdominal 
muscles
visible above his navel. But she'd never responded to his type before. 

His type that sounded sexist, but Bobby Hobbes was different from her past 
relationships.
They had been intelligent, somewhat cool scientist types. Bobby was intelligent 
but he 
was hot blooded, masculine and powerful. Traits not obvious in her past 
partners. 

As often as he had flirted with her, Claire had not taken him seriously. It was 
part of
his way of dealing with the world. She had always felt before that if she had 
accepted
one of his proposals that they go to dinner he wouldn't have known what to do. 
Not in a relationship, but with her, because he never expected her to say yes. 
It would have throw him, she'd been sure. 

Now she was anything but, sure he might not have expected her to take him up
on his offer to join him for dinner. But she was very sure he would cover his 
shock
and provide her with a entertaining dinner companion. Not to mention the after
dinner recreation. Claire fanned her face, she was getting hot and bothered just
thinking about what it might be like with Bobby. 

"Earth to Claire?" Darien said, grinning.  

"OH! Darien I didn't hear you come in." She whirled around to see him standing 
just
behind her. "Did you need something?"

"Yeah, I was wondering, when you gave me my shot this morning. It hurt like it 
always
does, but then a little while later when we were driving to the stake out. My 
arm started
to burn, is that good or bad?' 

"Let me check, take a seat please." Claire rolled up his sleeve, and saw there 
was a slight
redness at the injection site, it was possible she had missed the vein just a 
tiny bit, and 
a small amount of counter agent had leaked under his skin. 

"I'll put a dressing on it, and some cream. If it starts to itch don't scratch 
and call me at once. I think it will be fine. But stop by tomorrow and let me 
check." 

"Got ya, Claire thanks." Darien watched her, as she applied cream to the spot 
then wrapped a gauze bandage around his arm. 
"Are you OK, you seemed a little jumpy when I came in?"

"Did I? I was thinking." 

"You know Claire I've confided in you, you can do the same if something is 
troubling you." He looked sideways at her, trying to see her eyes. 

"Thank you Darien I appreciate your offer. But I'm not sure this is a topic I 
can  discuss with you." 

"Is it about Bobby?" 

Claire looked up shocked that he knew. She moved back to her supply table, her 
back to him. 
Darien jumped down from the table and put his hand on her back. "He's really 
getting to you, isn't he?' 

"How did you know?" she closed her eyes, the feel of his hand on her back nice 
but it wasn't the hand she wanted to touch her. 

"I saw your reaction to him on the beach the other day. It was like lighting 
struck or something. That was the first time you ever noticed Hobbes. As a man, 
I mean, wasn't it?" 

" Yes," Claire admitted.

"And now when he flirts with you it's different?" 

"Yes,"

"There's no reason you can't accept his invitation to dinner Claire." Darien 
told her, 
"I think you two would be a great couple."
He felt her tense up under his hand, " Or is there a reason?'

"Hey Fawkes do you want a ride home or not?" Bobby was standing in the door way.

"Claire?'

" It's alright please go." 

"I'll see you tomorrow.  Hey, Hobbes, wait up." Darien moved towards the door. 

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"Hobbes, do you really have a thing for the Keep? Or is it all for show?" 

"What are you talking about?" Bobby glanced at his partner, as he drove him 
home.

"You flirt with her almost every time you see her. Do you like her, you know 
'like' as in really want to date her." 

"I've told you before Partner, Bobby Hobbes doesn't fish off the company pier."

"Yeah, I know but tell me, if she didn't work for the same agency would you 
want to date Claire?'

"What's with the third degree Fawkes, are you thinking about asking her out?
She's your keeper, that's not a good idea." Bobby said, sounding worried. Like
Darien was infringing on his territory. 

"Are you going to tell me or not?" 

" Not, and I don't think you  should  go there my friend. Claire is special and 
you don't know how to treat a lady like her." 

Darien frowned, "Why do you say that?" 

"I've seen the women you've dated, not in the same class, buddy not by a long 
shot."
Bobby pulled the van to the curb in front of Darien's place. 
" Get some sleep, we have a big day tomorrow." 

"Yeah, right I'll see ya." Darien climbed down out of the van. 



::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Bobby drove himself home. He was so tired he wasn't even hungry. They had spent 
the 
day tracking down leads, interviewing people about the man they were attempting 
to 
locate. 

He sighed once he was home, locked his door and removed his jacket. He went to 
the
fridge for a bottle of sport aid, and drank half before going to his bedroom to 
change.
He'd installed a weight bench in his bedroom. He'd been working out on and off
most of his life. But after that scare a few months back, and he'd noticed his 
wind
wasn't what it use to be, he'd decided it was time for him to whip himself back 
into
shape. He changed into his sweat shorts, no shirt and took up position on the 
bench. 

He'd been surprised how he'd let himself get out of shape. It took the better 
part of
a month to get back to his fighting weight. He ran three mornings a week, and he 
was
working his muscles the days he didn't run. He hated running, but it was the 
only way
he knew to keep his stamina up, for when he had to chase the bad guys. 

The weight training was different, he enjoyed it. He also liked the results, he 
was looking
buff, if he did say so himself. It was a shame he didn't have a lady friend to 
impress.

What had that been about with Darien? Did he have the hots for the Keep?
Why else would Fawkes ask him if he liked Claire? 

Claire. Bobby paused in his reps, he'd just broken out into a mild sweat. He sat 
up
his legs spread wide on the bench to give him leverage for the bench pressed 
he'd
been doing. It wasn't a good idea to think about Claire when he was working out.
He'd learned that lesson already. The sweat from his chest trickled down, 
sliding
over his ribs and down his abdomen. He wiped his forehead with a towel and
tried to not think about her. But it was already to late. The image of her at 
the
beach that day, her hair blown out in the breeze, her face flushed from her rush
to help him with the boy that had almost drowned. He loved her eyes, they
were so expressive, big  brown eyes that made his heart melt. 

Yeah, they made his heart melt, but they had an entirely different effect on
another part of his anatomy. Here he was a grown man, day dreaming about
a woman he was never going to be with and getting an erection. He put
off the rest of his bench presses and moved on to the arm curls. 

When Bobby was done with his work out, he took a shower, a cold
shower. 

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Claire was having a difficult time herself that evening. She was attempting to 
put Bobby out of her mind with meditation. But it only worked for a short period 
of time. She almost called Darien, thinking if she told someone about her 
feelings it might help. She jumped in her seat when the phone rang. 

"Hello?"
"Claire how are you doing?" 
"Darien? Why are you calling me at home is something wrong with your arm?'
"No, well maybe it is itching a lot, but I called to ask you what you were going 
to say when Hobbes came in."
"Your injection site is itching, why don't you meet me back at the lab?'
"No, I'm OK." 
"I'll come over to your place then I want to check your arm." 
"Sure if you want." Darien wanted her to open up to him, maybe if she was away 
from work she could. 

"Hi, come on in." Darien answered the knock at the door. 
" Hello, now tell me what does it feel like, itchy or irritated?" Claire reached 
for him 
bandaged arm. She unwrapped the gauze and looked the red area.
"It looks better than before."

"Yeah, maybe the itchiness was just in my head." Darien smiled, "Why don't you 
sit 
down and talk to me. I can offer you a soda or tea?' 

"You weren't really bothered by this were you?" she re wrapped his arm just to 
be on the
safe side. 
"Come on Keep, you were going to tell me something before?" 

Claire sighed, it might help, but she didn't want him to hold it against her. 
She took a seat on his sofa. Darien sat next to her, watching her face closely. 

"  I do have feelings for Bobby, you are correct about that. But even though he 
has 
flirted with me in the past. I don't think he means it. It's part of his 
personality, his
coping mechanism in dealing with his mental state."

"Whoa wait a minute is that what this is about? You don't want to hook up with 
Bobby
because he's a little off center? I didn't think you would hold that against 
him." 
Darien was on the defensive now, for his partners sake. 

"NO! no that's not it at all. Wait, I'm not saying that. I am attracted to 
Bobby, but ever 
since that rescue on the beach last week." She paused thinking how to word it, 
so he
wouldn't over react again. 

"You got an eye full, Hobbes looks good all wet and half naked." Darien goaded 
her.

"Yes, he does but normally that wouldn't bother me. I've seen you half naked 
many 
times. I'm a doctor I'm use to seeing bodies." she struggled to find the words. 

"I don't want to chance hurting him again. He's been through so much in his 
life.
I have reasons of my own, that will make a relationship between us difficult. He
deserves someone that it's loaded down with her own baggage. He has problems
of his own to deal with. He shouldn't also have to worry about mine."

Darien believed her, because she was about a half minute away from crying. Her
eyes were full of unshed tears.  "Hey, Claire I'm sorry. I though it was 
because,
well never mind." He reached to touch her hand in her lap. 
"Man if we aren't the sorriest bunch of co-workers when it come to our love 
life's."
He tried to joke.

" I'm sorry I shouldn't be bothering you with this." Claire shook her head. 
Darien
handed her a tissue from the box on the end table. 

"It's OK, what are friends for?"   

It was another hour of talking and sharing before Claire became sleepy. Darien 
didn't
have the heart to wake her up. He just settled her on the sofa and covered her 
with
a blanket. Then he went to his bed.  

Rescue 
R 
part four




Darien was lying in bed when there was a knock on his door. 
"Crap" he remembered to late that Claire was still sleeping on his couch.
 He knew it was Hobbes, coming to pick him up for work. 
Darien climbed out of bed, and was trying to think when Claire came 
into his bedroom.
"What do we do?' she whispered urgently.
"I don't' know." 
"Oh, great we are about to get caught and you're not even wearing 
clothes." 
"I sleep better like this." Darien was holding the end of the sheet over his 
lower half, but he was naked. 
"Put some clothes or, no wait go get in the shower. I'm going to hide,
there's no evidence I was ever here, unless Bobby saw my car."

"I'll play it how ever you want to Claire."
"Go!"
"Hey, Partner are you up yet?" Hobbes opened the door with the key he'd 
mad made so he could get to Fawkes in a hurry if he had to.
Claire was hiding in the bedroom closet with her purse and her eyes 
closed tight, saying a prayer she wouldn't be found.

"Hurry up Fawkes, or we are going to be late." Bobby called out to him in 
the bathroom.
Darien was taking the fastest shower of his life. He only washed his hair 
once and brushed his teeth with his finger. He was climbing out
of the shower and toweling off only five minutes after the knock at his 
door.

"Hobbes, is that you?'
"Who else would it be? Unless you've got a lady friend I don't know 
about?" Bobby paced across the living room, a hand on his hip, adjusting 
the weight of his gun; it tended to ride in the wrong place,
he had to keep adjusting it, just like he had to keep adjusting the family 
jewels from time to time. 
Claire had a view of him from the closet in the bedroom. Through the 
slats of the closet door she could watch Bobby. She blushed  alone in
the darkness of the closet as she watched and admired the man she'd
been lusting after for weeks. 


Bobby was pacing and preening in front of the mirror in Darien's living 
room. When his hand went south, adjusting his package she
almost gasped out loud and gave herself away. 

Darien was dressing in the bathroom, he'd grabbed a pair of pants and 
underwear off
his dresser where he'd left them after washing stuff over the weekend.
"Hobbes can we stop for coffee." 
"Already taken care of my friend, hurry up." 
"I just have to grab a shirt, and I'm good to go." Darien exited the 
steamy bathroom,
his hair still damp, but looking as wild as always.

Darien reached into his closet and took the shirt behind Claire. Her eyes 
were wide
with fright, he kept his expression neutral so he wouldn't give her away. 
He pulled
the shirt over his head and tugged the tail down.
"Let's go."

Claire breathed a sigh of relief once the door closed behind them. She 
stayed in the
bedroom a minute, then checked at the window to make sure they were 
gone.

:::::::::::::::::::::

Claire made it home and changed clothes in record time. She called 
Eberts to cover
for her, she was only fifteen minutes late.

Hobbes and Fawkes were in a briefing with the Official, so they didn't see 
her
arrive late.

"Is there anything wrong, Claire?' 
"No, Eberts. Thank you for you help, I over slept, now I feel all rushed 
and
out of sync, I hate that feeling, don't you?" she tried to change the 
subject.

"Yes as a matter of fact I do hate being rushed. I prefer to work at my 
own
pace." Eberts nodded and went back to the office. 


Claire was calm and working on her lab reports when the guys stopped 
in.
"Good morning Claire, you said you wanted to check my arm." 

"Good morning Darien, Bobby." she looked up, and flushed at the sudden 
memory
of what Bobby had been doing the last time she'd seen him. 
"Beautiful morning today Keepy, you should take a break outside today. 
Get some sun." Bobby smiled at her. 
She knew then that he'd know she was at Darien's or at least had been at
Darien's. She was crushed that he'd not confronted them, he must not 
mean all the flirting. 

"Darien let me see your arm," she reached to unwrap the gauze, the spot 
was
fine only a slight pinkness there now. "Let the air get to this now, it looks 
fine."

Darien could see she was upset, her hands shook as she turned away and 
went
back to her stool. 
"Thanks, we have to go." he tried to get her to look at  him, he wanted to 
signal
to her that everything was OK.

"Come on Partner, we have work to do." Hobbes urged Darien.

"See you later Claire." 
"Be careful you two." 

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Once they were in the van and driving to the location for the nest black 
bag job
Darien was to perform on behalf of the Agency. Bobby questioned his 
partner.

"So you didn't take my advice, you and Claire were together last night?" 

Darien was on his second cup of coffee, he almost spilled it on himself 
when
Hobbes spoke.



"She was in my place last night, but it's not like that." 

"I warned you buddy, don't play games with her." Bobby was angry.

"She needed advice, she's all torn up about a guy she has it bad for. 
She needed to talk to someone about him, I offered." Darien tried to 
make it
sound innocent.

"Who is he? That Doctor guy that worked the case last month with her 
and Eberts.
Yeah has to be him, he was all tall and smooth, acting like he was to good 
to 
talk with the field agents." Bobby sneered.

"No, it's not him. Claire has more sense that that."

"Who then, do I know him?'

"Yeah, but I can't tell you, she confided in me Hobbes." 

"If I know him he has to be from the Agency. That new guy that just 
transferred
in from Washington last month?' 

Hobbes stop guessing, I can't tell you. Look you're on the wrong track 
anyway.
Why do you think Claire would pick someone like Dr. Grayson, he was a 
jerk."

"She must like that intelligent, scientist/professor type. She had a thing 
for
Kevin didn't she?'

"Yeah, but I think that was different. I mean that doesn't mean she only 
likes
scientist types. She knew Kevin for a long time, before she was in love 
with him."

"You're sure you're telling me the truth here? She wasn't over at your 
place to 
see you?' 

"No, not like that. I'm not the guy she'd losing sleep over." 


"That bad? She isn't sleeping? You know she has looked a little tired the
past few days." Bobby nodded. 

Darien wanted to tell his partner he was the man. He knew how much 
Bobby
cared for Claire. But she seemed to think she wasn't right for him. Darien 
was
going to have to work on her a little longer, convince her that Hobbes and 
she
were a perfect for each other. 

They reached the building Darien was supposed to sneak into. Bobby 
checked the
surrounding area, it was clear. 
"OK Partner, you have about fifteen minutes until the roving patrol comes 
back."
"See ya later." Darien quick silvered himself and went inside. 

Bobby kept watch, checking the area for any signs of trouble. He checked 
his
watch every few minutes, he would go in and rescue his partner if he had 
to.

"Got it. Let's get out of here." Darien touched Bobby's shoulder. 
Hobbes whirled around in time to see the quicksilver dropping off his 
partner.
"Don't do that!" Bobby had his gun drawn and ready, he had to refrain 
from 
shooting when Fawkes touched him.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::


 "This is good work men. I'm very pleased with your swift completion of
this mission." The Official told them.
"Thanks chief." Hobbes was sitting back in the chair in the Official's office,
smiling it wasn't often they were praised by him.

"Thanks, but it wasn't a difficult  security system, it was out dated."
Darien added.

"Just the same it was good work. Eberts, is the file ready for the next 
case?'
"Yes, sir but the contact hasn't checked in yet." Eberts whispered.


"Hobbes, Fawkes take the rest of the day off, we'll brief you in the 
morning 
on the next case." 

Bobby and Darien low fived each other. It was only a half day off, but it 
was 
still a treat neither of them was used to. 

:::::::::::::::::

Darien had an idea, the last time they had gotten time off Hobbes had 
wanted to spend
it at the beach. But Darien had other plans. 

"Hobbes, I own you a day at the beach, what do you say to hanging out, 
catching
some rays, watch the hotties in swimsuits strolling past?'

"Sounds good Partner, I've still go my stuff in the van."

"I'll meet you outside in a few minutes." Darien wanted to invite Claire 
along too.

::::

"Claire grab your swimsuit, Hobbes and I have the rest of the day off." 

Darien danced over to her at her work table. 


"That doesn't mean I can leave with you, Darien." she looked up 
surprised at his
sudden entrance. 

"Sure it does, you deserve a few hours off, come on go with us to the 
beach.
Work on your tan," He was bending to look into her eyes, he'd taken her 
hand
as if to dance with her, but he only turned her to face him. "Come on you 
know
you want to." 

She hesitated, then took off her lab coat. "Which beach will you be at?" 
"Alright! Down by the place we had the last steak out."


:::::::::::::::::

"Fawkes, will you relax. What are you looking for? All the hotties are 
down this
way." 

"Oh, yeah right." Darien turned back towards the surf, there were pretty 
young 
women walking around in all typed of swim wear. But Darien was worried 
Claire
had chickened out on joining them. It had been over an hour since they 
had 
arrived. 

Claire had almost turned around and gone home twice. Then it took her 
forever
to find a parking space. She'd gone home to change into her tank-ini. 
She'd
slathered on the sunscreen and dug out her hat. She didn't tan quickly 
and
needed the protection. She was walking towards the beach, nervous 
butterflies
in her stomach. She wasn't sure she could pull this off, acting casual with 
Bobby in this setting. He was bound to be wearing less than she was used 
to
seeing him in. She was also a little self conscious about her own 
appearance.
She couldn't compete with all the young beautiful woman parading up 
and
down the beach. 

Claire approached the area Darien had said they would be near. She was 
looking
over the crowd. Searching for the familiar tall frame and spiky hair. The 
person
she spotted first wasn't Darien. It was Bobby, a very breath taking, heart 
stopping
.... bare chest relaxed and magnificent sight. It was the second time 
she'd seen him
this way, but it still took her breath away. He was built powerfully, 
sculpted muscles,
wide chest, dark accent hair, rippling arms and a taunt flat mid section 
above his


simple everyday swim trunks. She stopped in her tracks, her mouth 
dropped open
and she stared. If Darien hadn't noticed her arrival there was no telling 
how long
she would have stood there transfixed. 

"Hey, Claire come and join us, we have room for one more." Darien 
jumped up and
took hold of her hand, taking her beach bag and jolting her out of her 
shock.

"Claire? Hi, come sit between us." Bobby also jumped to his feet, but he 
was
smiling. He was always happy to see her. He took in her swimsuit, she 
looked
fantastic. He was glad he was wearing shades, he could stare without her 
knowing.

Bobby spread out her towel, then settled down on his spot next to her.
"Darien invited you to share our time off?"
"Yes, do you mind?" Claire was still shaken, it had been a bad idea for her 
to come.
"Mind, me mind? Why would I mind, the more the merrier." 

Darien was trying not to laugh, he could tell Bobby was thrilled she'd 
joined them.
He was hiding it, but his partner knew him to well.
Bobby was giving all of his attention to Claire, even with all the beautiful 
woman
walking around them. He sat sideways, one leg bent up, the other half 
Indian style
on his towel. He was telling her a story, making her laugh. Darien was 
glad his plan
just might work. 

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Claire was laughing, Bobby was telling her about the time he'd been out 
in the field for a week, he came in with his squad all hot and tired. All 
he'd wanted was a hot shower and some cooked food. The shower had 
fallen in on him and when he was walking to the first aid station to get 
the cut on his arm looked at his towel was blown away by a helicopter 
taking off. 



"Oh, Bobby you're making that up." She giggled.
"I swear, cross my heart." He made the motion over his chest then held 
up his hand to swear it had really happened. 

Darien was happy, it looked like they were enjoying each other's 
company. He stood and asked if they needed any thing to drink.
"I'd like some water please." 
"Yeah, Partner water would be good." 
"Two waters coming up." Darien smiled and wandered down the beach 
towards the concession stand. 

Bobby was happy, Claire was listening to him, she was having a good 
time. He'd always known he could keep her entertained if she had just
accepted his offer to dinner one time. 

Claire was glad she had come. Bobby was trying so hard to keep her
Laughing, he was so sweet. She was getting use to seeing him with no
shirt.  Her heart rate was almost back to normal. 

"Want to take a walk cool off a little?" 

"Yes, I am getting a little warm." She took his hand as she stood, then 
wanted to keep hold of it, but didn't.

They walked next to each other down to the damp sand, at the edge of 
the waves. Claire starting to drool all over again, now that he was moving 
his muscles rippled with every step. 

She was so distracted she mis-stepped and almost fell. She would have if 
Bobby hadn't steadied her. Putting one strong hand at her back, and the 
other under her elbow. 

"Easy there Claire, are you alright?" 

"Yes, thank you. I need to watch were I'm going." She stammered, her 
pulse racing again. 

Bobby was very aware of her, his own heart was beating faster than 
usual. "Let me steady you, the sand is kind of uneven." He slipped his
hand down her arm, and took her hand in his. 

Claire smiled, and they started to walk again. She had to tell him, ask him 
do or say something to see if the feelings she had were mutual.


"Bobby, I don't know if you've noticed." She stopped that was a bad 
start. 

" Noticed? Is something wrong?" He was on instant alert looking for
trouble. 

"No, I mean to say," she stopped and faced him. Her hand still in his,
he looked into his eyes. " I want to tell you something and I'm having
trouble getting the words just right." 

"You can tell me anything. Oh, you want to talk about that guy, that's
it isn't it? Darien was telling me you spoke to him."

"A guy, what did Darien tell you?' she was worried he had been treating 
her this way because of something he knew. 

" There's this guy you like, only you're afraid to tell him. You know
if you ask me the guy must be a real jerk to not know when a lady like 
you is interested." Bobby commented.

Claire smiled he didn't know. " I see, you think it would be obvious?'

"Yeah, if he knows anything at all about women." 

"I see, then if a lady was interested in you, for instance you would pick 
up on it right away?" she smiled again. 

"Yeah, I think so, there are certain clues."

"Oh? Give me an example perhaps I'm not giving him the right clues."

"Well for one, she would pay attention to him. Listen to him tell her about 
himself, his day, his life you know. She'd probably touch him,
maybe innocently, on the arm or shoulder." 

Claire was touching him now, her hand in his felt perfectly at home.

"Yes, go on." 

" She might make up excuses to be with him." Bobby wasn't aware of 
what was happening, until just then. 
"You want to tell me who this guy is who's making you lose sleep?"

Claire lifted her hand to his cheek, " It's you Bobby." 


She leaned forward and he met her halfway, their lips touching kissing, 
melting into each other. Her hand shifted to his hot chest,
as the kiss continued. It was gentle, and tender, but they both could
tell there was passion lurking. 

Bobby placed his free hand on Claire's waist, wanting more contact
with her but at the same time afraid to push for to much to soon.

Claire ended the kiss and looking into his eyes. "I've been wanting
to learn what that would be like for what seems like ages." 
She smiled. Her hand on his chest flexed, testing the feel of him.
His chest was hard, she could feel his heart beat. 

"We should go back, this isn't the place for this." Bobby wanted 
so much more. But a public beach wasn't his idea of the right
place to get intimate with her for the first time. 

The walked back to their spot on the beach. Darien had returned,
their water was waiting for them.
" Hey, I met someone I'm going to. . ." He started to make an
excuse to leave then noticed they weren't the happy couple 
he'd left a few minutes ago. 

"What happened?" 
" Nothing Partner, at least nothing bad." 
" Then why does Claire look upset?" 
"She kissed me, and I suggested we not continue." 
"You did what?" 
"I meant here, this isn't the right place for that kind of
thing." Bobby whispered. 
"I don't think she understood Bobby, she looks crushed." 

"I'll see you both tomorrow." Claire had gathered her things
up and was moving off towards the parking lot. 
She'd enjoyed the kiss, she wanted more. But when he'd said
they shouldn't continue, she'd never dreamed he wouldn't want
her as much as he'd been chasing her in the past. 

"Claire wait, you misunderstood." Bobby started after her.

Then his cell phone rang, it was laying on the towel under the
shirt he'd removed. Claire's phone rang to, from her bag.
That meant it was the agency calling.



"Yes, are you sure? Yes, I'll return at once." 
Claire hung up her phone, there's been an emergency. We are all
to return to the Agency ASAP." 

"Claire let me explain." Bobby pulled his shirt on and turned off
his phone. 
"We have to get back, we can talk later." she dismissed him.

Darien watched feeling like he should do something to keep her
from reacting to the situation the way she was. Bobby did like
her, he'd only been hesitant about starting something in public. 

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;

rescue part six

" I can't believe I did that." Bobby whacked himself in the forehead with
his palm as he started the van up. Darien had climbed in and was
glaring at his partner, he couldn't believe it either. 

"You didn't handle it very well. But I think we can still save the 
situation." 

"Hold on Partner, they said ASAP." Bobby threw the van into gear
and backed out. He was traveling through the midafternoon  
traffic at speeds Darien didn't even want to think about. Taking corners
with out hardly slowing down. Darien was convinced he would be 
killed one day by Hobbes's driving, not by Chrysalis.

They two rushed up to the main floor of the agency building. 
"Eberts what's going on?" Hobbes was the first to spot the official's
right hand man.

" There's been a threat made."
"A threat to whom? What kind of threat?" 
"The official will brief you I have to research this." he hurried off to
his computer. 

"Hey, Chief what's going on?" 
"Eberts was to distracted to even leak to us who's in trouble." 
Darien flopped down into a chair, his only concession to returning to
work was his shirt was now buttoned. 

Hobbes had changed back into his pants in the van, but he was still
wearing a polo shirt. 

"It's not a who, it's a what. The entire state of California is being 
held hostage for a half billion dollars." 

"What how can they do that?" 

"The group calling it's self the Green Squad, has threaten to poison
the water supply for ninth tenths of the state if their demands aren't
met." 
"Can they really do that? That would be an awful lot of water." 
Darien asked. 
Bobby nodded, he had an idea how it might be possible.

"I'm afraid it's a possibility, most of the southern half of the
state gets it's drinking water from two rivers the Colorado which
is contained in Nevada by Hoover Damn. And the Sacramento
which has a series of smaller damn along it's length all over the
state, but one large holding area,  near mount Shasta."

"So if they have the right type of poison or toxin, they can
make all of the water for a state with 32 million people un useable."
The Official added. 

"Crap." 

" I've looked into this with the company people, sir. It seems there 
are a number of possible contaminants that could be used."
Eberts returned with a print out for his boss. 

" I'm checking to see if any large amounts of these chemicals have
been purchased in the last twelve months." 

" Do they have a solution for this situation? That is the whole purpose
of the company." 

"The company? What do they do." Darien whispered to Bobby.

"Big think tank, full of egg heads they figure out worse case scenarios.
And how to prevent them or defend against them." 

"The consciences is if the chemicals are in place as the Green Squad
has claimed, there is very little you can do to prevent it's release into
the water supply. They said to pay the ransom." 

" Pay the ransom, are they serious?' the Official yelled.
"I believe they were dead serious, sir." 

Three hours after they had been recalled the team of Bobby, Darien
and Claire were on the road again. The agency was sending it's best
team to Nevada. Hobbes and Fawkes were going to find and disarm,
the bomb that was set to explode and release the chemicals into
the water of the reservoir.  
Claire was being quiet, Darien had vacated the passenger seat for her
he was sitting on the little flip down seat that was behind and between
two main seats. 
"Claire can you explain this to me again. Why do they think if I quicksilver
me and  Hobbes we can sneak past the detection equipment?"

"Our intelligence says the devices used to monitor the bombs, set to
release the chemicals is motion detection, only not the usual type,
it's heat sensitive, not body motion like used more frequently.
Several of the monitors are under water, so the quicksilver should
keep your body temperatures from registering." 

"What about the bomb, I'm not very comfortable with things that
can explode." 

"I'm going to disarm the bomb Partner, the ATF guy they sent to
give me a quick refresher course has me up to speed." 
Hobbes promised him. 

They drove in silence for awhile each lost in their own thoughts.
Claire was worried she would be able to give Darien his shoot of
counteragent soon enough. He was going to have to expend more
quicksilver at one time, for longer than he'd ever done before.

Hobbes was thinking about the mission and worried that he'd already
ruined his chance with Claire. He still couldn't believe he'd messed
up so quickly with her. 

Darien was scared he wouldn't be able to maintain the quicksilver
covering for him and Bobby. He was also worried that his friends 
weren't going to get together, they should be together. 
"Turn on the radio, it's to quite in here." Darien suggested.
Bobby reached for the radio knob, but his station of mixed oldies and
popular music was to far to register. 
"Find a station, I have to keep my eye on traffic." 

Claire reached to tune in the radio, stopping at any station that had
a strong signal for a few seconds to determine it's type of music.
"What are we looking for, Pop, Rock or something else?' 
She doubted very much they would like to listen to classical music
at the moment. 

"Wait leave it there." Darien stopped her, as the sound of one of his
favorite songs came in. 

I need love, love to ease my mind
I need to find time, someone to call mine
My ma ma said you can't hurry love, you'll just have to wait
she said love don't come easy it's a game of give and take
You can't hurry love, no you'll just have to wait
just trust in the good times, no matter how long it takes
 
Darien sang along with the song, his voice mixing well with
that of Phil Collins. Claire smiled at his antics, then joined in
on the next verse.

How many heart aches must I stand before I find love 
to let me live again? right now the only thing that keeps
me hanging on
when I feel my strength , Oh it's almost gone
remember ma ma said 

Bobby threw caution to the wind and joined in on the chorus

you can't hurry love, you'll just have to wait
love don't' come easy, it's a game of give and take  

how long must I wait, how much more can I take 
before love only lets to cause my heart to break 
no one can bare to live my life alone I grow impatience
for a love to call my own 
when I feel that I cant' go on
these precious words keep me hangin on
remember ma ma said you can't hurry love
you'll just have to wait, love don't come easy
it's a game of give and take, 
you can't hurry love, you'll just have to wait
just trust in the good time  no matter how long it takes
 
Darien was the only one singing for the last verse.

Now love,love don't come easy 
but I keep on waiting  anticipating
for that soft voice, to talk to me at night,
for some tender arms to hold me tight 
I keep waiting  until to day, but it ain't easy
no it ani't easy, my ma ma say

But when the chorus came around again they all joined in.

you can't hurry love, you'll just have to wait
love don't' come easy, it's a game of give and take 
you can't hurry love no you'll just have to wait 

They all laughed and the tension from earlier was broken.

It was late that evening when Bobby parked at the motel they
were scheduled to meet their contact at. He was to provide the
scuba equipment they would need for the mission. 

"I got us one room with two beds. Don't worry I'll be up most
of the night keeping watch." Bobby advised them both.

Claire nodded realizing it would be easier for Bobby to guard one
room than two. 

"You're going to need some sleep Partner. Want to grab a nap
now, I'm to wired to sleep." Darien offered, once they were in
the room.
"OK, but you two have to keep close, don't go down to the bar.
And don't wander off." he warned Darien. 
"I'm going to sit here and find a movie to watch." 

'I'm going to take a bath, good night Bobby." Claire gathered her
things together and disappeared into the bathroom.

" Relax Partner." Bobby removed his jacket and shoes and lay down
on the bed near the door. He closed his eyes and was asleep in five
minutes. He wouldn't sleep long, or deeply but he would rest. 

Claire was soaking in the hot water, she didn't know what she
felt about everything now. She wanted Bobby, but he'd seemed
hesitant about the kiss. She stayed in the bath water until be
began to cool then dressed in the dorm shirt and leggings she'd
packed on the quick trip home before they left. 

Darien was propped up with two pillows watching the television.
"I can switch to the chair if you want the bed now." he offered. 
"No, you're fine stay there." Claire put her things away and then
sat next to him on the bed. Her legs curled up beside her. 
"Oh, I know this movie now, it's Key Largo isn't it?"
"Yeah, I love Bogie movies."  Darien moved over so she had more
room. Claire shared his two pillows, watching the screen. 

During the commercial break he asked her if she wanted to talk.
" Yes, do you know why he pulled away from me?" 

"He didn't mean it like that, he just didn't want to make out with
you on a public beach." 

"Then he is interested?'
"Yeah, he is. But like that song this afternoon. You can't hurry love."
he joked, he was never serious for long. 
Claire sighed, " Alright, at least he know I'm interested now." 
"You could cuddle up to Bobby and go to sleep, I'm going to finish
watching the movie." Darien dared her. 

"I think you'd make a better bed warmer." Then she realized what
she'd said, "No, wait." She sat up, and covered her mouth. 
"I mean, you're awake, I don't want to wake him. Darien I didn't
mean," She blushed bright red. 

"Don't worry about it. I know that isn't what our relationship is all
about." He grinned at her and lifted his arm up so she could move
in next to him. He hugged her to his side and exhaled. Claire was
like a sister or best friend or something he didn't think of her that
way. Not since his first few weeks of recovery from the surgery.

Bobby had over heard the entire encounter. He wasn't worried.
He knew Darien didn't have a thing for Claire. He was a little jealous
she looked cute snuggled up to his partner. She'd really blushed red.
He'd opened on eye to see, He'd only slept a half hour. He waited 
until Claire was out.
"Fawkes, wake me in an hour."
"OK, get some sleep." 

Darien watched the rest of the movie, then the beginning of the late
late show, before he began to get sleepy. Claire was snuggled down
on his chest her face resting in the hollow of his shoulder. Her hand
and arm curved around his side. 

"Bobby, hey Partner wake up." 
Hobbes rolled over and looked at them. " Thanks, that was just enough
rest. You get some sleep now."

"Can you help me with this, I don't want to wake her." Darien was
attempting to pull the cover out from under his legs with out sitting
up and moving Claire from his chest. 

Hobbes stretched and sat up, he pulled the blanket free and covered
them both with it. 
"Thanks, next time you get to play pillow." 
" Anytime, my friend, I'll switch with you now if you want." 
"No, I need some sleep." 

Hobbes sat up on the other bed. He left the television on but turned 
the sound way down. He checked outside twice while they slept, he
was very good a moving around with out making much sound.

He woke the pair just after dawn. 
'Fawkes, we have to meet the guy in a hour time to get up." 

"Yeah, OK give me a second." Darien answered with out opening
his eyes. Claire felt nice and warm cuddled into his body, he almost
wished she did want him the way she did Bobby. His body was thinking
it would be nice too, he was that close to being aroused. 

Claire ummed, as she woke up. Darien felt way to good under her 
cheek and hand. She could get use to waking up with a man in her
bed. "Thank you." she whispered to him, then eased off the bed 
and went into the bathroom. 

Claire was only in the bathroom long enough to wash her face and
brush her teeth, she was going to get dressed while they were gone
to meet the contact. 
"Good morning Bobby did you get any sleep?' 
"Morning, ya Darien let me sleep until one. "I've got coffee here if
you want some." 
"Yes thank you." she accepted the cup of hot coffee from him.
Darien was in the bathroom now. They were alone for the moment.

"Bobby, thank you for helping me to convince the Official that I needed
to be here for you and Darien. He's going to have to use much more
quicksilver than before. I want to be right there and ready to give him
the injection when you come out of the water." 

" I know I worry about him too Claire." 
"I know you do. But I worry about you." She touched his arm. 
Looking into his eyes and waiting to see if he would kiss her like she
wanted. 

Bobby did, he pulled her forward and kissed her deeply, his hand at the
back of her head, holding her still for his mouth to plunder and taste.
He wanted her to know he did want her, cared about her.

 
Bobby was so close to being aroused now he had to break off the kiss.
"Oh my." 
"I care about you, I want to spend time with you." Bobby confessed,
attempting to gain control of his body.

"I want the same, but we have to save the world first don't we?"

"Yeah, I guess we do." he moved  back letting her have some space.

Darien was dieing for his morning coffee, but was waiting on the other
side of the bathroom door until he was sure they were done. 

::::::::::::::::::::::::

 They were ready or at least as ready as they were ever going to be Bobby had 
instructed
Darien on the use of scuba gear, they had the tools they would need. Now it was 
just a 
matter of finding and disarming the bomb. 

"Darien please don't over use the quicksilver. Be cautious but don't overly so." 
Claire
had a hand on his chest to keep his attention. 

"I know, I know, don't worry." he smiled at her. 

"Ready Partner?' Bobby was standing knee deep in the lake, he was going to lead 
the
way. Since he was familiar with under water missions. 

"Yeah, just don't get to far out in front of me. I want to be able to 
quicksilver us at
a moments notice." 

"Understood, see you later Claire." Bobby grinned at her, then slipped under the 
water.

The information they had been provided was solid. Bobby located the first 
detection device
and Darien quick silvered them. When they were past the sentry the quick silver 
floated
off of their bodies in ribbons of silver, rather than crumbling like in the air. 

Bobby located the first bomb, he quickly disarmed it and stored the vial of 
toxin in a
special bag Claire had provided him. The second bomb was just as easy to 
located.
The third and final one was more difficult, two sentry devices guarded it. 
Darien was
the one to spot the second one.  He could feel the pain starting in his head as 
soon
as he covered them with the protection. Bobby was taken by surprise but he 
trusted
his partner's judgment.  He had to remove his air tank and hold his breath to 
fit
into the tight space the third bomb was hidden in. He motioned to Darien to hold 
his
air tank. Darien shook his hand no, don't try it. 


Bobby handed his partner the tank took one last deep breath and dove down to the
bomb. He was able to disarm it, but the vial of toxin wasn't sealed the same way
at the others. He didn't have enough air in his lungs to stay and figure out how
to free it. 
Darien was scared Bobby had been gone for what seemed to him like forever. But
he saw the dark form of his partner coming back. Reaching for the regulator, and
giving the thumbs up signal. He fastened the air tank back to his body and 
followed
Darien back out. They had to quicksilver one last time. Darien knew they would 
be
cutting it way to close. His head was pounding, the madness starting to creep up
on him . 

part seven

Bobby was glad they had made it back. He knew Darien was close to the edge.
He didn't know how close. 

Darien was following his partner. But the beginnings of quicksilver madness
were already affecting him. The pain in his head and neck, increasing. He 
stopped swimming, treading water, and rolling his shoulders in an attempt to 
ease the pain.

He watched Bobby moving further away. He thought about swimming in the 
other direction, getting himself away from his partner and Claire before he did
something to hurt either of them. 

Bobby noticed Darien's absence, he circled back. 
He waved to Darien to follow him, they were close to the spot Claire was 
waiting. Darien nodded, and went along. He surfaced on the edge of the lake, 
pulling his face mask off. His eyes red, he was already there. 

"Claire you're always are eager to jab me with that needle aren't you." he 
growled at her. 
"Now Darien this is for your own good. It will make the pain go away." 
she approached him carefully. 
"The pain is only there because of what you did to me." Darien spat at her, he
dropped his air tank to the sand and moved sideways keeping his eyes on 
Claire. 
Bobby had removed all of his gear, he was waiting for an opening, he was
going to have to hurt Darien, to subdue him. He hated using his martial arts
skill against his partner, but it was the only way. 

"Keep away from me with that needle Doc, or your going to regret ever having
met me." Darien glared at her, his eyes very red, his voice harsh and 
threatening.

Bobby saw his chance and moved in, he grabbed one of his partners wrists,
and twisted the arm behind his back. " Fawkes just hold still for a second.
Claire are you ready with that thing?" 
Claire moved in close and was aiming for Darien's neck, when he broke Bobby's
hold on him. Bobby was thrown through the air, landing several feet from his
partner and the doctor. 

"I warned you." Darien grabbed hold of Claire by the neck and Claire fought 
back. She pounded on his arms, with her fists, but it had no effect on his grip.
Bobby jumped on Darien's back, putting a choke hold on him, it was like riding
a bucking bull. Darien whirled around and twisted and grabbed for his attacker. 
Bobby knew if he could hold on for long enough his partner would lose 
consciousness.

" I'll get you..." Darien gasped, reaching for Bobby, put there was nothing for
him to grab, the wet suit to tight to grasp. He fell to his knees, the oxygen 
cut off to his lungs. Bobby held tight, knowing it would be another few seconds.

"Claire get ready."
Darien fell sideways when he passed out. Bobby kept him partially upright.
Claire rushed forward, sticking him with the needle full of counteragent. 

"There it's in, keep a hold on him." She put the needle safely away and
turned back to help Bobby hold Darien as the counteragent hit his system.
His lean body convulsed, he cried out in pain with his first gasp of air. 
"Hang on buddy, it will be over in a minute." Bobby held Darien by the 
shoulders, when the second wave of pain passed, Bobby began to rub his partners 
back. Easing the knot of muscles clenched tight in response to the pain. 

Claire was staring at Darien, checking his tatoo for signs that the counteragent
was working. It wasn't changing as quickly as usual. Darien seemed to be
experiencing more pain.  

"What's the matter Claire, it doesn't take this long?" Bobby held on to his
partner, his eyes reflecting his panic.

"I don't know, he must have been farther gone than we realized. She looked 
in one eye lifting his eyes lid. His eyes looked normal. They were back to 
their normal deep brown.

Darien groaned, and blinked at her when she released him. " What's going on?"
He groaned again and tried to uncurl from his fetal position on his side. 
Bobby still kneeled behind him, a hand massaging his back. 

"You feeling better now Fawkes?' 
"My head is still pounding, did you give me a shot yet?" 

"Yes, it's taking longer to work than usual. How far gone were you?"

"I don't know, the last thing I remember was quicksilvering us both to come
back out of the detection area."

"That was ten minutes before we got here, no wonder he was past the safe
point." Bobby was shaking his head, he couldn't believe Darien had maintained
control under the influence of the madness so long. 

"Let me see," Claire looked in his eyes again, checked his pulse and the tatoo.
The tatoo was back to all green. His pulse was slower, returning to normal.

Darien took a deep breath and unzipped his wet suit, "Man I'm hot, can we go
back to the motel or something? Did you disarm all of the bombs?" 
Claire was use to the sight of his bare chest, as often as she had taken care of
him during his recovery. But it was still a magnificent sight, his body was lean
but it was sculpted with muscle.

"Yeah, but I only could get two of the vials out of them." Bobby stood and 
retrieved the bag from the safety of the rocks he'd placed it. He handed it
to Claire. 
"Can you walk Partner?" 
"Yeah, I think so." Darien groaned again as he moved to stand. He was unsteady
on his feet. 

"Wait a second," Bobby gathered the air tanks and carried them to the van. He'd
parked it off to the side of the road, under some trees so it wasn't easy 
spotted.

Darien was moving towards the van with Claire's assistance. 
"Why does it hurt in my stomach and back?" he asked, unable to straighten up
to his full height. 
" You had to be restrained, the quicksilver madness took over." 
" Did I hurt you?" Darien stopped and lifted her head, a hand to her chin.
"Oh crap, did I try and strangle you again?"
" Yes, but Bobby pulled you off me, I'm fine." She promised him.

Bobby was back, he supported Darien from the other side. "Ok, Partner let's
get you somewhere where you can rest."  
"Did I hurt you Hobbes?" 
"No, I'm tough it's going to take more than being thrown like a rag doll to 
earn me another medal." Bobby was making light of what had happened.

They helped Darien into the van, and Claire took the jump seat behind the
two passenger seats. Bobby drove to a different motel, he checked in with
the Official using only land lines, cell phones were to risky.

Darien stretched out on one of the beds and was asleep almost at once.

"He'll sleep for several hours. He needs to recover and sleep is the best
thing for him." 
" The other team was only partially successful. The fat man wants us to
head north." Bobby looked worried, he wasn't sure Darien was up to more.

"No, he can't. Bobby, what do they want you to do now?" Claire was angry,
they expected to much from them. 

" The team that was sent in to disarm the bombs at lake Shasta missed. 
There are still several active. They think Darien can  sneak past and complete
the mission." Bobby explained. He was angry also, but he understood the 
reason the Official was ordering them north. 

"When do we have to leave?" 
"He wanted us to leave now, but I bought us a few hours." Bobby shook his head,
"It's up to us now." 

Claire sighed, and threw up her hands. Bobby watched her, wanting to comfort 
her.
But unsure if she'd welcome him offer. He touched her back, she was all tense.
"It's so unfair." She turned towards Bobby, he engulfed her in a strong hug. 
Claire's head bowed to the hollow of his shoulder.

" It is, but it's our job." he held her close, she was crying. It hurt him to 
hear her
suffering, he wanted so much for her to not hurt. 
Claire's arms around him were holding tight to his back, it took her a few 
minutes
in his arms to calm down. Then she noticed how good it felt, his back under her
hands was cords of muscle. He'd changed into a blue button shirt when he'd
taken off the wet suit, but he'd not worn a tee shirt under it. She could feel 
his 
body heat through the thin material. His hair was still damp at the nap of his 
neck.

"You feeling better now?" Bobby asked, easing his hold on her. 
"Yes, thank you. Don't you ever get tired of being everyone's rock Bobby?" 

"No, but I don't think accepting a little help from a friend is a big deal. I've
needed assistance often enough in my life." he looked into her eyes.
Bobby wanted to kiss her, but was holding back. 

" Have I told you, I like being in your arms? You make me feel safe, protected."
Claire confessed. 

" I'm glad." he didn't know what else to say. 

"Did you over hear what I said last night?"

"Some of it." 
" I'd like the opportunity to spend the night in your arms. But not for 
comforting."

Bobby smiled, "It would be my pleasure," he kissed her then, his mouth 
covering hers, warm and tender at first then hot and passionate. Claire 
moaned, opening her mouth to him. She'd never been kissed like this, 
her past relationships were no comparison to Bobby. 

Bobby allowed himself to show Claire his true feelings for her, he'd been
admiring her from a distance for so long. Flirting, offering his support,
being a friend. When she'd first shown an interest on the beach two days
ago he'd been through for a loop. He'd welcomed her attentions, then backed
off, not wanting to start things in a public place.  Now they were alone, except
for a sleeping Darien. He molded her body to his, loving the feel of her breasts
pressed into his hard chest. She tasted sweeter than he'd imagined. 
But her response to him was everything he wanted.

"Claire how far do you want to take this?' His eyes were dark with passion, his
hand smoothing the hair off her face. 

" I want you so much, but not in the same room with Darien." 
" Is it  safe to leave him alone for a little while?" 

"Yes, he's resting comfortably." 

"I can get us the room next door, it you want..." he didn't finish the 
statement.
Claire was moving against him telling him with her actions what she wanted. 

"I'll be right back," Bobby bolted for the door, he had to take a deep breath 
and
compose himself before hurrying to the desk clerk to get a second room.

rescue  
part eight nc-17  
 
Bobby returned with a room key, but Claire wasn't in the room when he came 
back. He panicked for a second, then realized she must be in the bathroom. 
 
"Claire, I'm back." 
 
She opened the door of the bathroom and stepped out, she smiled at him.  
 
"I got the room that connects to this one, we can be close."  
 
Bobby opened the door between the two rooms. He was unsure how to 
go about resuming their encounter.  
 
Claire took the lead for the moment, walking into the new room and turning 
to face him, she crooked a finger at him. "Come here Bobby."  
 
He grinned and joined her, the swagger in his step more obvious than 
usual, he closed the door behind him.  
They kissed again, Claire eager to see him now, she'd dreamed about this  
a lot in the past months. She pulled his shirt tail free slipping a  
slender hand underneath, his skin was hot, the muscle taunt as she stroked 
her hand up his back.  
Bobby lifted his mouth from her's long enough to ask. " What do you want  
Keepy, I aim to please."  
" Your shirt off, I want to see your body Bobby."  
 
He kissed her again, unbuttoning his shirt, throwing if from his shoulders.  
Claire's hands were on his chest, caressing , massaging, she moaned. 
Bobby loved her touch, it made him that much more aroused that she 
found his build pleasing. He changed from kissing her mouth to her jaw, 
down her neck, he was pushing her blouse aside seeking more skin. 
 
"Bobby, you're so powerful,"  
"You're so beautiful," He continued to kiss her, easing her blouse off her 
shoulder, his mouth nuzzling he breast. Claire wanted to touch him more, 
but he was distracting her, her eyes drifted close as she enjoyed the feel 
of his mouth on her nipple.  
Her bra was removed, her blouse already gone, then her pants slide  
to the floor. Followed by his clothing. She was laying on the bed, her body 
putty in his hands. He was stroking, tasting, kissing her everywhere.  
Claire moaned his name. "Oh Bobby,"  
 
She wanted to give him the same attention, but he was making her melt.  
She was under him, his hard body pressed against her, she welcomed him. 
Loving the feel of him aroused against her, wanting more.  
he was kissing her mouth again, then lifting his head, looking into her  
unfocused 
eyes. 
"Claire, I love you I want to protect you, cherish you."  
"Oh Bobby I love you too."  
He moved forward thrusting up and in taking her to the heights of passion. 
Giving her all of himself, until she cried out her joy.  
 
Bobby's forehead was resting against her's when she came back to herself. 
"Oh Bobby, that was incredible."  
He kissed the bridge of her nose, his heart was still racing his hips still  
working 
in small thrusts of completion.  
 
"You made me lose control, I wanted to....'  
"Shh, I said that was incredible." she lifted a hand to his cheek.  
He exhaled and returned her gaze, her eyes were bright with pleasure.  
 
He moved to lay beside her, Claire turned on her side so she could  
look at him. One hand on his chest, " Did I tell you, you have a magnificent 
build." she kissed the hollow of his throat then trailed kisses down to the 
center of his chest.  
Bobby groaned, he wasn't use to receiving such praise. 
"I should have known you'd be a skilled lover, you do so many things 
well." Claire said between kisses. 
 
Claire wanted to give him as much enjoyment as he'd given her. But  
first she had to learn what he liked best. "Tell me what you like Bobby, 
where should I touch you?'  
 
He swallowed, his eyes closed as she continued to taste his chest.  
"Anywhere, that feels nice." Bobby sighed, as her tongue teased his 
flat male nipple to a peak. Claire ummed and continued to work at 
making him groan. Kissing, caressing, she was exploring his body 
learning what gave him pleasure. But everything seemed to, he groaned 
and sighed almost constantly. She moved over him, to reach the top 
of is neck kissing, the cord of muscle there pulsing under her attentions. 
He was aroused again, her leg brushed his throbbing erection. 
"I'm going in the wrong direction, why didn't you say something?" 
 
"Like I'm going to complain about where you're ...." He groaned even 
deeper as she licked then sucked his swollen organ. Bobby had been 
with a number of woman over the years, but he'd never been so completely 
investigated, he'd always been the one striving to give pleasure. 
 
Claire built the pressure in his shaft to the brink of climax then backed off. 
" I need to feel you again Bobby." she moved to her back and urged him 
to mount her.  
He took only a moment to shift positions, bracing his upper body with his 
arms and thrusting hard and deep. He was aching to climax, she'd taken 
him so close to a finish. But that short break in contact was enough for him 
to need to ride over her for another few minutes. Stroking deeply, giving her 
what she needed, " God yes, that's it ......Bobby."  
 
He exploded taking them both through a powerful climax. His body arched  
hard into her at the last, as he groaned in deep male satisfaction. 
 
"You are amazing." Bobby told her when he could think again. 
"You're the one who is amazing, I think I need a nap."  
 
Bobby was laying on his back, his breathing just returned to normal when 
the phone rang in the other room.  
"Crap." He jumped out of the bed and raced into the next room, answering 
the phone on the second ring.  
"Yeah, I know you said we could have a few hours. Alright, we'll be on  
the road by five." He hung up, his back taunt with tension already.  
Claire could see him through the doorway, even after their love making the 
sight of him naked was arousing. The firm curve of his buttocks enticing. 
When he turned to return to the room, she admired that view also. 
 
"We have to leave sooner than expected. Do you think Darien's had enough 
sleep?" Bobby was pulling on his clothes, his back to her.  
"Probably not, but maybe he can sleep on the drive north." Claire was sorry 
their encounter was over. She pulled the sheet up to cover her self as she 
moved it sit on the edge of the bed. Bobby was dressing, not looking at her. 
Then he stood up from pulling on his shoes. He moved to he, leaning down 
to place a kiss on her lips, then another on the edge of her mouth.  
" I love you, but we have to do this, there will be time for us to be together 
after we save the world."  
"I love you too, and I know, it's our job. Please don't take chances you don't 
have to, I don't want to lose you now that I've found you."  
 
::::::::::::::::::::: 
 
"Fawkes, wake up buddy. The Fatman has a new assignment for us." 
Bobby touched Darien's shoulder, he was use to getting his partner up in  
the mornings. Fawkes often over slept.  
 
"What? I thought we competed the assignment?" Darien moved away from 
Bobby's hand he was sore still, his head still hurt.  
 
"I'm sorry about this Partner, but we have to go. You can sleep in the van." 
 
"OK, give me a second where's Claire?"  
 
"I'm right here Darien." She'd dressed quickly after visiting the bathroom.  
Now she was back in work mode. 
 
"Can you give me something, my head is still killing me."  
" Yes, I have something you can take." she handed him a glass of water 
and two Tylenol three's.  
Darien popped the pills into his mouth and drank the entire glass of water. 
"Thanks," He sat up and moved his legs over the edge of the bed.  
Darien looked at Bobby for the first time since he'd woken up, and he knew 
they had been busy while he was out. He wanted to high five his partner,  
but decided that wasn't the best response. 
 
He studied Claire, she wasn't acting any different than usual. But there was 
a smile hovering on her mouth. She kept biting her bottom lip, like when she 
was nervous about something.  
"I'm going to go check us out. Get ready to leave." Bobby grabbed the bag 
he'd carried up from the van that had his stuff in it.  
 
" Claire?" Darien returned from the bathroom, he'd cleaned up and felt more 
awake now. He stood just behind her, he wanted to tell her he was happy  
they had finally gotten together. 
 
"Yes, Darien has the medication help your head yet?" she turned towards him 
feeling funny about having abandoned him to make love with his partner.  
 
"I'm happy you guys are together." He hugged her.  
Claire was surprised he knew, then she was panicked he'd some how heard 
them.  
"How did you know?" She returned his quick hug. 
" Bobby's posture, he's acting more like he does when we're out in public. 
Not like he use to when he was around you."  
 
"What do you mean, there's more than one way he carries himself."  
"Nothing negative Keep, he's just a little subdued around you usually.  
He tones it down so to speak." Darien explained, smiling.  
 
Bobby returned then, he was also smiling. Ready to go, he picked up 
Claire's bag and Darien's, he was swaggering, shoulders back, head  
held high.  
"Are you guys ready?' 
Darien just smiled more, " Yeah, Partner let's get out of here." 
 
Claire followed them to the van. Wondering how they were going to complete their 
new mission without endangering Darien again. 
 
"Hey, Bobby you and the Keep finally, got together." Darien commented quietly 
as he helped put the bags in the back of the van. 
 
"I don't kiss and tell Partner." Bobby smiled, and closed the back doors. 
 
Darien just grinned, and went to climb into his seat.  
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 
 
Darien had no trouble going back to sleep in his seat. He was out again as soon  
as 
they hit the highway. 
 
Claire offered to share the driving with Bobby. She was worried about him almost  
as 
much as Darien. He'd not slept much the night before.  
 
"I'll pull over and switch with you at the next gas station." Bobby nodded. 
 
He stopped and filled the van with gas, then handed the keys to Claire.  
"Thank you," looking into her eyes, "When this is all over I'm going to make it  
all 
up to you." 
"Make what up to me?"  
" The crapy location of our first time." he leaned in and placed a passion  
filled kiss 
on her mouth. Claire welcomed his attentions, placing her hands on his chest and 
leaning into him. They were standing behind the van, so they were shielded from 
view of the rest of the people at the station. Darien still sleeping inside.  
Bobby hadn't planned for the kiss to last as long as it did, when it finally  
ended. 
Claire exhaled, " whew, you'd better get some sleep, I'll wake you when we  
get near our destination."  
 
::::::::::::::::::::::: 
 
Claire was wide wake, Bobby's kiss had helped. She was driving north, their  
assignment 
to disarm the last two remaining bombs at Lake Shasta. She wasn't thinking about  
the 
assignment. She was thinking about Bobby, she'd day dreamed about being with him 
but her imagination hadn't come close to the reality. She'd known he was built  
well, 
she'd known he was highly skilled in many areas of spy craft. She'd not expected  
his 
skill as a lover, his response, his willingness to allow her control without  
protest.  
Claire felt proud that Bobby loved her.  
 
Bobby had fallen asleep in the back of the van, resting his head on his bag as a  
pillow. 
He'd learned to sleep anywhere when he was serving with the Marines. It was a  
talent 
that came in handy as a government agent.  
 
Darien was the first to wake up, he stretched and groaned in his seat across  
from Claire. 
His shirt riding up to reveal his flat abdomen.  
" Man I think I slept to hard." He rolled his neck and blinked a few times.  
 
It was just before sunset, they were still a few hours from the lake. "How's  
your head?' 
Claire asked, checking the mirror to see if Darien had woken Bobby, but he was  
still 
sleeping soundly.  
 
" It's not hurting now. Do we have any water or anything?" 
"Yes, there in the bag between the seats."  
Darien grabbed a bottle and unscrewed the top, he drank a third in one pull at  
the neck. 
'So what's the assignment now?" 
"They want you to repeat what you did in Nevada, the team sent in before you  
couldn't 
get past the detection devices."  
 
"I hope this one is closer to an access point." Darien rubbed his neck. 
 
"I'm against you using the quicksilver again. The last time was a strain on your 
whole body. You need to recover."  
 
"Hey, it's not like I jumped up and volunteered for this one. I have to go where  
the 
Official sends me."  
 
"I know, I just wish we had more time between quicksilver uses."  
 
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 
 
"Could we stop for some coffee and a bathroom break?" Darien asked an hour  
later. 
 
"Yes, of course you should have said something." Claire pulled off at the next  
exit  
on the highway and climbed out, she could use something to drink herself.  
Darien held the door for her, then headed for the men's room. Claire was staring  
at 
the cold drink selection when she felt strong arms encircle her waist and Bobby 
kiss her behind the ear. " You should have told me you were leaving." his voice 
was deep, close to her ear. Claire loved the feel of him against her. 
" Can I get you something to drink?" she asked, bending her head to the side so 
he could nuzzle her some more.  
 
Bobby had come awake as the van pulled to a stop. But he didn't realize he was  
alone 
in the vehicle at first. When he saw Darien's head moving away from the van he  
sat up and checked. Claire was also gone. He climbed out of the van, taking the  
keys 
from the ignition.  
 
He'd woken feeling happy, Claire loved him and he was thrilled about it. He  
wanted 
to cuddle up to her and tell her his feelings. He settled for a quick hug and  
kiss in 
the conveyance store.  
Darien slipped past the couple and filled a huge cup with coffee, then he was  
looking for 
something to eat.  
"Bobby, Claire do you want a burrito?"  
 
Claire stoked her hand up Bobby's arm around her waist then moved away. She  
didn't 
want Darien to eat food from this place it didn't look very clean.  
" We can stop somewhere else for food. I don't like the looks of those."  
"OK, I'll get some crackers to hold me over."  
Bobby was paying for two soda's and a energy bar.  
 
Bobby took over the driving again. They reached the contact point just before  
midnight. 
They were provided a map, fresh air tanks and more information about the  
assignment. 
"We can't go until day light, it's to risky." Bobby told the man in charge of  
the team 
that had failed.  
"My orders were that as soon as you arrived we were to take you to the location  
and 
secure the drop off point."  
"Has the ransom date been pushed up? Don't we have until noon Thursday?'  
Darien asked, he was willing to try but not if Bobby was against it. 
 
" I have my orders." he replied giving them a look like he thought they weren't  
up to 
the challenge.  
 
"Look Captain, I've been trained in all aspects of night missions. I'm the  
senior agent 
here, it's my decision that we don't go until morning, do you have a problem  
with that?" 
Bobby was standing toe to toe with the taller man, but he wasn't backing off, he  
was 
pushing full steam a head.  
 
"No, it's your decision." he officer knew when he was in the wrong. Bobby wasn't 
going to back down, and he couldn't force them to attempt a mission as dangerous 
as this one. 
 
:::::::::::::::::::: 
 
Claire was now tired, she was to worried to relax. After meeting the team that  
had failed 
to complete the mission. She was even more worried that Darien and Bobby were in  
great 
danger.  
 
They were bunked down at a cabin with the team members. The Captain had offered  
her 
his room, as it was the only room separate from the common room.  
"You OK Claire?" Darien was keyed up, he'd not been worried until after he'd  
seen 
the distance they had to cover to reach the bombs.  
He was sitting on the porch of the cabin, feet propped up on the rail. Staring  
off into the 
darkness.  
 
"I'm worried. I wish Bobby would get some more sleep."  
 
"He knows his limits, he'll get a few hours of sleep later. He's studying the  
mock up of 
the bombs, this pair is more sophisticated than the ones we disarmed."  
 
"How are you feeling, any more head aches?"  
 
"No, just sore from the other stuff."  
 
Claire shivered, wishing Bobby was handy to cuddle up to. The trip from the  
desert to the 
northern part of California was making her notice the temperature difference.  
Darien noticed her shiver, " Why don't you wait inside where it's warm?" 
 
"They're telling war stories in there, I wasn't interested."  
 
Darien got up from his chair and moved in behind her. He wrapped both arms  
around 
her and rested his chin on top of her head.  
"You're nice and warm, have you always been that way? It's not something that's 
occurred since the gland?" She asked ever the scientist.  
"No, I've always been like this, must be the Italian heritage on my mom's side." 
 
They were still standing together in the front to back embrace when Bobby  
returned. He saw them standing together a small stab of jealousy grabbed him. 
Darien released his hold on Claire as Bobby approached.  
 
"You ready for tomorrow Partner?' 
"As ready as always."  
"I'm going inside, try and sleep. Goodnight." Darien left them alone.  
 
Claire moved to Bobby, " You wouldn't share my room with me tonight  
would you?"  
"No, it was nice of him to offer you a room to yourself." Bobby took both of 
her hands in his. "It's not that I don't want to be with you Claire. But not 
tonight, with an entire room of people on the other side of the wall."  
 
" I know, I'll miss you." she kissed him softly, then moved towards the door. 
She knew if she didn't go then she wouldn't have the guts to go at all. 
 
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 
 
Bobby was once again standing knee deep in the lake. Darien was testing his  
regulator. 
Claire had warned them both to be careful. She was standing beside the truck,  
arms 
wrapped around her self watching. 
 
" We'll keep the area secure and be on the look out for you in two hours."  
"Thanks, if something goes wrong, you get her out of here. You understand."  
Bobby ordered the team members waiting beside the lake. 
 
" Understood. Good hunting."  
 
Bobby nodded, gave the thumbs up sign to Darien and slipped under the water. It  
was just 
after dawn, the lake was cold if it wasn't for their wet suits protection they  
wouldn't have 
been comfortable in the water.  
 
They had to swim for nearly a half hour to reach the area of the first bomb.  
Darien  
covered them with quicksilver, and they slipped past the sentry device. Bobby  
took 
his time disarming the bomb, there were more things to work past, he had to be  
sure 
he was doing them in order.  
Bobby had warned Darien, he didn't want to choke him out again, and to cut it  
the 
use of the gland as close as possible. They were only under for thirty seconds  
on  
the way back out.  
 
The last bomb was close, they only had to swim for a few minutes to reach it's  
location. 
Bobby disarmed it, giving Darien the thumbs up sign he was finished. Darien  
started to 
swim back the way they came when there was a boat sound above them. Darien  
looked 
up and saw several men in scuba gear jumping into the water and surrounding  
them.  
 
"Gentlemen, nice of you to join us." the man in charge greeted Hobbes and Fawkes  
as they were hauled into the boat. "I see you've been busy, but it won't  
prevent us 
from taking control of the state."  
 
Bobby kept quiet, if they though the men they had captured were only soldiers  
they 
might not interrogate them much.  
 
Rescue
part nine

"Take them back to shed and tie them up well. It won't be long until we have
the ransom."

Darien and Bobby where pushed towards a storage shed. Tied hand  and foot
and left in the darkness. 

"Hobbes they didn't gag me did they you?"

"No, how much of the quicksilver do you have left?' 

"Not much maybe five minutes unless Claire is nearby with the counteragent."

"She was worried about you over doing it again, she gave me a mini dose of
counteragent, it's in a special syringe in my pocket, I was worried when they
patted me down they would take everything. It's disguised as a pen, so they
let me keep it." Bobby told his partner. 

"Great then all we have to do is get these ropes off." Darien began to work at
his wrists, he was very limber but he couldn't quite reach the knot holding his
ropes. "Hobbes are you tied to anything? Can you come closer to me?"
"No, just hands behind my back sitting on the dirt." Bobby scooted closer 
to his friend. 
"I can't untie my ropes, but maybe I can figure out yours."

Bobby moved so he was back to back with Darien. Darien touched the knot
getting a metal picture in his head, he began to pry the ropes loose, it took
him several minutes. 
"How's it going, Partner?" Bobby felt like the knot was getting tighter.
"I think I've got it, hang on.' 
Darien grunted and using two fingers lifted the loop he'd been working on,
"It's working, keep going." 

Darien worked on Bobby's bonds for another few minutes and he had his partner
free. 
"Hey, that's great, hang on a second and I'll get you." Hobbes untied his feet 
and checked at the crack in the door to see how closely they were being guarded.
Bobby moved back to Darien, " I don't see any guard, it might not be to hard
to sneak past them." He untied the knots holding Darien captive. 

"Let's see the tattoo?" Bobby looked at his partner's arm, "Yeah, I think we 
should 
give you the shot, it will give you a cushion just in case." 
Bobby took the small disguised needle from his pocket inside the wet suit. 
Darien gripped his arm so the vein would be easier to find. He felt the burning 
that
went along with the usual injection of counteragent but it didn't last as long.

He watched the tattoo change, he was now about three segments from the end. 

Bobby was checking out the crack again, he didn't see any of their captors 
moving
around. It might be a good time to make a break for it, he tested the door, it 
was
locked from the outside, with a simple lock and chain. 
"Fawkes, you don't have any of your lock pick stuff on you do ya?" 

"Yeah," he reached inside the leg pocket of his wet suit. He moved to take 
Bobby's
place at the door, he reached out the door and took care of the lock in thirty 
seconds.
"Got it, are you ready?" 

"Let's go, head for the trees to the left of the cabin. Don't over do the 
quicksilver,
save some for later." 
Darien covered them both, and they slipped out of the shack. They hurried for 
the 
cover of the trees. The quicksilver falling off as they moved deeper into the 
woods.

"Do you have any idea of which way is help?" Darien asked, following his 
partner.
"Yeah, west down hill, they took us north of the lake, so our guys should be 
south
west of here if they haven't pulled back." 

::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Claire was worried, and scared. Fawkes and Hobbes were an hour past the time 
they
were expected back. They had seen a helicopter flying low over the lake earlier, 
but
it didn't hover for more than a few seconds. 

"Dr. Keeply, I think it's time to pull back. My orders were to keep you safe if 
something
went wrong with the team." 
"Yes, Captain I understand but can't we wait just a little longer?" 
"I'll send a recon team out to look again. Maybe we can determine if there is 
any unusual
activity if they were captured." 
"Thank you." 

::::::::::::::::::::::

Darien was able to keep up with Bobby in the woods, but he wasn't used to 
running
for long periods. He didn't run as part of his fitness routine. Bobby did even 
though
he hated running. He'd learned in the service stamina could save your life. 
He stopped and checked for any sign they were being followed, he was breathing 
hard,
but not as fast as Darien. 
"You OK?"
"Yeah, just give me a second." 
"Open your wet suit, let some air get in to help cool you off." Bobby had 
unzipped his
top as soon as they entered the woods. 

"How far?" Darien asked, panting.
"I think three,  four miles." Bobby shrugged.  

Darien rolled his eyes, he was glad it was sort of down hill at least. They 
moved off
again, Bobby leading the way.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Claire was pacing, she was so worried. She knew they might have been killed, or 
captured.
"I'm afraid it's time to go." the Captain told her.

"Yes, I know." she turned towards the truck. They were pulling out, unsure if 
Hobbes  
and Fawkes were dead or alive. 

Bobby and Darien were still over a mile from the drop point. When the team 
pulled out.

Claire put a call in to the Official once they reached the base. 
"Yes, sir we don't know, have you been contacted by the Green Squad at all, did 
they
change the ransom demands?"

"No, the last contact with the terrorists was late yesterday. We asked for more 
time to
gather the money, they refused. There's no sign of Fawkes and Hobbes?'

"No, sir." Claire sounded like she wanted to break down and cry.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::

Bobby and Darien were at the drop of point, Bobby hadn't really expected the 
team to
have waited this long for them. But he had hidden his spare weapon and his cell 
phone
just in case.

"I can't believe they left us!" Darien swore.

"Take it easy, they didn't know if we were alive or dead. Claire had to be kept 
safe,
the Captain probably sent out recon to look for us, but we were so far out they 
didn't
spot us." 

"Now what?" 

Bobby dialed a number, but his cell was to far from a tower to pick up.
"Damn if  the Agency would just spring for a satellite cell phone." he flipped 
it closed.
"What else did you stash Partner?" Darien looked over Bobby's shoulder. 
"Just my thirty five, it's not much good unless we're close in. But it's better 
than no
weapon at all." Bobby stored the revolver inside his wet suit. 

"There is a ranger station a couple of miles from here I guess that's our best 
chance to
reach help."  Bobby straightened up from retrieving things from his hiding 
place.

Darien groaned, he'd hoped they were done running through the woods. 

:::::::::::::::::::::::::

Claire was sitting beside the desk of the officer in charge. She'd spoken with 
the Official
and now she was overwhelmed with sorrow.  
"Ma'am a report came, several members of the terrorist group were captured. 
Agent
Fawkes and Hobbes escaped from them several hours ago." 

"Thank God, where are they now?" 

"We've sent out patrols, we're looking." 

"I must go to the area, agent Fawkes needs special medication on a regular 
basis."

"Yes, ma'am I was briefed, come with me." 

Darien was following Bobby along the edge of the tree line, just inside cover 
from the 
road that circle the lake. They were headed for the nearest ranger station. 

"Fawkes down, a truck is coming." 
Darien hit the dirt, wondering if he was hidden well enough. He didn't want to 
quicksilver
unless he had to.

"Stay put, I'll check it out." Bobby moved off towards the road, they looked 
like some
of the same men he'd been talking with the day before the mission. But he had to 
make
sure. Then he saw Claire with them, his heart skipped at beat.

Darien was watching the men also, he spotted Claire and stood up. 

"Man it's about time you guys showed up." he started to move towards the truck.

"Darien are you alright where's Bobby?" Claire ran to him, Darien hugged her 
hard,
he was so glad to see her, after all they had been through. 

"Do you need a shot, did you really get captured? Where is Bobby?" 
"I can wait on the shot, I'll need one soon. Bobby was right here with me a 
second ago."
Darien looked towards the woods, then spotted his partner talking with the 
officer in
charge of the squad. 
Claire wanted to go to him and hug him. She'd been so scared they'd been killed.

"Yes, sir we did disarm the bombs. Unless the terrorist were able to resupply 
the 
toxins then the threat has been neutralized." Bobby was making his report to the 
Official
on a radio, from inside the truck. 

Bobby winked at her, as he was answering the questions. When he handed the radio 
back
to the officer. He turned towards Claire. His first instinct had been to hug her 
hard. But
he had to make his report, tell the officer in charge details and complete his 
assignment.

"Are you alright?" he asked, moving towards her. 
"Me? I was scared to death, are you alright?" 
"Yeah, fine Fawkes handled himself real well. He's going to make a top field 
agent yet."
"Bobby please don't ...." She launched herself into his arms, her eyes damp with 
pent up
emotion. 
Bobby caught her against him, squeezing her tight. " I'm sorry you were 
worried."
He whispered. "Fawkes and I are pretty hard to bump off." 

Epilog 

"The Agency  has been awarded a bonus for the fine work we did on the Green 
Squad
case. Therefore I've authorized a bonus for both of you." The  Official handed 
Fawkes
and Hobbes each a envelope. 
"Thanks Chief, it's nice to be appreciated." Bobby took the envelope. 
"Thank you, did Claire get something, she was a big part of the mission?"

"Yeah, the Keeper, we couldn't have done it with out her." Bobby had been so 
shocked
by the reward, he almost forgotten she had been with them. 

"The good Doctor was rewarded with a new X-15 model computer system." Eberts
spoke up, " She said she was very pleased with her bonus." 


The two men waited until they were out in the hall to high five each other. 

"Hey I wonder how much our bonus is?" Darien ripped open his envelope
it was a check for five hundred dollars. "Nice, five hundred."

Bobby also looked at his check. " I don't believe it, I'm taking this to
the bank right now before they change their minds. Then I'm taking Claire
out to a real nice dinner." He smiled.

Both men had a swagger in their walk as the headed towards the Keep.

End