Backwoods
by mardel

PG


Bobby was running, he didn't know from whom or why but he was running.
Fawkes, where was Darien? He looked to his left, then his right, he stopped
taking cover behind a large bolder. What the hell was going on?
He didn't remember anything after they started the trip north. That had been
that morning hadn't it? Damn. 

Bobby checked his weapon, it was still fully loaded, that was good wasn't it?

He checked the time, middle of the afternoon. Think! 

They had been sent up to northern California to look into the disappearance of
a top level government officials wife. It had looked like it could be kidnapping
to blackmail her husband. The leads had sent them to the near by National
Forest, a man that often worked as a guide to extreme campers was a suspect
in the woman's disappearance. 

Okay Hobbes get your act in gear your partner could be in trouble and you're
hiding behind a rock. Bobby pulled his weapon again and moved back in the
direction he'd come from. He was moving quickly but cautiously. 

Darien was in a little bit of trouble, he'd been visible when the shooting had
started. But they were shooting some strange dart things at him and Bobby.
He'd thought Hobbes had been hit with one. But he was to busy trying to
keep himself in once piece to see well. He'd turned invisible at first, and moved
out of the direct line of fire. By the time he looked to see if Bobby was safe,
he couldn't find him. 
"Hobbes! you hurt man?" Darien yelled and there was no answer. 

Now it was ten minutes since he'd gone quicksilver and he knew Claire was a 
long way back down in San Diego. He had to move to a location he could stay
undercover with out the quicksilver. He had to stay and find Bobby too. 
Darien began to move back towards the van, but there was a loud whoosh just
past his head and he saw one of those dart things imbed it's self in a nearby 
tree. 
Crap they must have thermals if they were aiming at him. He made a mad dash
for the van. But felt a dart hit his back, he tried to reach the van and get away.
He was feeling very sick to his stomach, and dizzy, he couldn't stay on his feet.
Then he passed out. 

" I told you they were government agents." The woman slapped her partner
on the shoulder as she saw the wallet he'd just pulled out of Darien's hip pocket.
"Now we are going to have to make sure he's gone, real gone." 

" Now just hold on there a minute, I agreed to your plan, but you said
there wasn't going to be any killing." He protested.

" Well this changes things, doesn't it?" She pointed to the unconscious man on 
the ground. 

Bobby arrived back where he'd left the van. He was sure he'd parked it near a
large pine tree and a small group of rocks. They had walked up a long dirt path
to the cabin. But Golda was gone, he hoped Darien was with her. He flipped 
open his cell phone, but all he got was static. 
Okay so what would Darien do if he was looking for him? 
He'd backtrack the way Bobby had disappeared in right, then he wouldn't be in 
the van. Great. Bobby went up towards the cabin, very cautiously. He saw no
signs of movement, but he did find drag marks. Not good. He didn't find any
blood. 


"I told you we aren't killing him. Now think of something else." Earl yelled at
the woman. He was dragging the still unconscious Darien out of the back of
his beat up pick up truck. 
"Man for looking like a scarecrow he still is dead weight."

"Okay, the ransom money is supposed to be dropped off tonight, so all we really
have to do is keep him from being found until the day after tomorrow. 
If we take him way back in the woods and just leave him we should have plenty 
of time to get to the house and hole up until this all blows over." 

"Yeah, that will work, but I ain't carrying him that far. We'll have to tie him up
and wait for the stuff to wear off." Earl nodded. 

"While we're here I'll go and check on our guest." The woman moved off 
towards a small shack just off the path. 

Bobby checked out the cabin, it was empty, it looked like it had been for 
sometime. He found a few empty beer cans and some trash. Who ever had been
shooting at them must have taken Darien with them and the van. 
He'd looked at the map of the park, it was a good three miles to the nearest 
ranger hut. Even farther if no one was manning it this time of year. 
He started jogging in that direction. He stopped every fifteen minutes and took
a breather and check his cell phone for reception. He reached the ranger hut
before the cell phone worked. 

"Man am I glad to see you." Bobby came to a halt on the small porch area of the
hut. There was a older ranger inside, talking on a short wave radio. 

"Hang on one second there mister." The Ranger held up his hand, "That's 
received and  understood, Matt I'll expect you to check in, in two days. Base
three out." He hung up the handset and turned back to Bobby. 

"Okay mister what's the matter?" 

"Agent Bobby Hobbes, my partner and I were investigation a missing person in 
the area and he's been captured." 

"Captured are you sure you don't mean lost?" 

"No, I mean captured you know taken hostage by the people we were looking 
for." Bobby argued with him. 

"Slow down and explain it to me again."  

"I'm a Federal Agent, my partner and I were in the park here, looking for Earl 
Dawson he's supposed to be a guide. He is suspected in a kidnapping case we 
are working on. When we approached his cabin, he or someone inside started
shooting at us. But they were shooting darts, not regular bullets."

"Darts?" The Ranger asked. 

"Yeah, you know like you see in wildlife films, they use them to tranquilize bears
and lions." Bobby thought he must be talking to the stupidest Ranger in the 
world. 

"Oh, right, darts." He nodded. 

"The point is my partner is missing now. I got hit by one of those things and
the next thing you know our van is missing, my partner is missing and the
cabin is empty. We need some help here, can you call in the local sheriff of
police on that thing?" Bobby nodded towards the radio. 

"Yeah, I can, but it will take them a hour or more to get out here." 

"Well put in the call, I need help here." Bobby looked at the guy
like if you don't do it man, I'm going to get physical with you.

"Alright hold your pants on." The older Ranger reached for the
radio handset again. 

Meanwhile Darien was just starting to come around from his darting.
"Man did you get the number of that bus?" He rolled to his back 
and opened his eyes his head hurt, but for once it wasn't from the
gland. It was kind of like a hangover headache. He looked up and
saw a man, wearing scruffy looking clothes standing over him. 

"I tied you up already, so don't get any ideas." Earl warned.

Darien had noticed his hands were tied, in front of his body at
least. But his feet weren't tied. If he could get to his feet,
and quicksilver he might just make it to the trees for cover
before the guy shot him again. He checked his monitor, but it
was getting close to shot time. Scratch that idea, at least for
the time being. Maybe Bobby would show up soon to rescue him. 

"You don't know what kind of trouble you got yourself into there
buddy. I've got to take you out in the woods and leave you there."
Earl complained. 

"You're not going to kill me?" Darien asked the obvious question.

"No, not if we don't have to, killing a fed is a big deal, they
would never leave off looking for us if we killed you." 

"Then my partner isn't dead?" 

"Partner? Oh, yeah almost forgot about that other guy, I shot at 
him too, but he disappeared. You know sometimes the drug in the dart
has a strange effect on smaller folks. He might have had a bad reaction."

Darien moved to sit up. "Hadn't you better go look for him?" 
He didn't like the sound of that at all. 

"No, if he's not still out from the dart, then he's wondering around
the woods lost." Earl was sure of that the direction he'd run in. 

Darien sighed, he didn't like the sound of that either. Bobby wasn't
exactly his idea of a woodsman. He might be lost out there somewhere.
Drugged and confused. 

The woman came back then as Darien was trying to decide his next
move. 

"She's fine, a little worn out but alive. I see he's awake, you'd
better get started. Take him out a good way, maybe blind fold him
the last bit so he has no idea where he is." The woman came up
to look Darien over. 
"Shame he's a Fed, he's not bad looking. Kind of tall and lean." 
She smiled at Darien. 

Darien had to nearly bit his tongue off to keep from telling her 
he wouldn't do anything with her with someone else's... well never mind.

"You're going to take me out in the woods and leave me there?"
Darien asked.        

"I just told you that, are you stupid or somethin'?"

"Right, just checking." Darien moved to his knees and then stood up.

"My he is tall ain't he." 

"Stop your staring Reba, there's no time for that if you want me
to take him out in the woods and get him lost." Earl glared at her.

"I was just admirin' him." She complained. " I can look can't I?"

"No, you can't cause we are leaving." Earl picked up a small pack
and a rifle from the back of his truck. 

"I'll be waiting at the place, you know." Reba told him.

"Yeah, right I know." Earl motioned for Darien to lead the way
down a path. 

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

"Yes, Sir I understand but I can't seem to get it through to this."
Bobby turned his back to the old Ranger. "Ranger that this is an
important Government agent and we need to go out into the forest
and start looking for him now." 

"Hobbes commandeer a vehicle if you have to, but rescue Fawkes."
The Official was red in the face, he was so upset at the news that
Darien had been lost. 

"I'll do my best Sir, I'm worried about him too." Bobby hung up
the hand set. The radio operator at the main ranger station had
patched him through to a land line to San Diego. 

"I know you want to go looking for your friend. I've sent for
another guide that live near here. He'll help you look."

"Thank you." Bobby was to exasperated to ask questions. 

It was only a few minutes later when the guide arrived. She was a
very pretty woman of no more than twenty, small and of Native
American heritage. 
"Hello, I'm Elly Red Horse, I understand you need help finding a
lost man?" She offered Hobbes her hand. 

Bobby looked worried, but shook her hand she would at least know
the woods better than he did, and she had a jeep.  
"Bobby Hobbes Federal Agent, my partner was taken prisoner by a
man or men up at the cabin off Area six."

"Prisoner?" She looked concerned. Elly was use to men not taking her
seriously, but this one was acting like he was glad to see her. 
He wasn't big but he looked capable. He had very expressive eyes,
dark and worried. 

"Yes, he was suspect in a kidnapping case we were working on,
Look can I explain this while we are underway?"  Bobby asked,
it was getting later and the light would be gone in a few hours.

"Fine, Luke I'll be in touch. Let me know when the police get
here." She told the old Ranger. 

"You go easy now there Elly, make sure you have your rifle.
Earl was never a man to cross." 

"Great, you know this Earl character?" Bobby asked as he climbed
into the passenger seat of her jeep. 

"Earl yeah he's my biggest competition. Not that many campers
that want to rough it these days." Elly pulled her jeep onto
the road.

"I think we might be able to find your friend if Earl doesn't have
him, if he does we'll have to wait for back up." 

"I have a weapon and I won't hesitate to use it, if the situation
calls for it." Bobby told her. 

"Fine, but until we know what's happened we can't assume anything."
Elly told him. 

"You're right. I'm just worried about him." 
Bobby took a deep breath exhaled and reached for his pills it was
past time for him to take them, again. 

Elly noticed, but didn't ask, it wasn't her business. He looked
upset, maybe they were for an ulcer. She hoped he was wrong
about Earl taking his friend hostage. That could get very ugly.              
The man beside her was interesting, he was dressed in jeans, boots
and a wool suit jacket. But under it he was wearing a chambray shirt.
He wasn't pulling one of those city guy comes to the big woods and
wants to dress like a lumber jack routine. 
He wasn't tall, but he looked solid, strong. Elly wasn't worried 
about him keeping up on the trail, if she got him a sweater to wear
with his jacket he'd be warm enough. 

"I think what we need to do, is look the area over and if we can
locate their trail, if there is one to follow, then we can radio
back to Luke and head out. I've got a warm sweater you can put
on under your jacket and a hat. It gets cold up here early." 
Elly told him.

"Thanks, sounds like a good plan. At least you are taking me 
seriously." Bobby nodded. He liked her, she thought things 
through first then talked. She was so young that was what had
him worried. His protective instincts had already kicked in. 
"Mine if I ask you a personal question?" 

"Depends if I don't like it I won't answer." She glanced at Bobby.

"How old are you? I'm hoping you just look young for your age,
cause I'd hate to think I'm putting my partner's life in the
hands of a college age kid." Bobby was blunt. 

"I'm almost thirty, thanks, I know I look young, but short of
going around showing folks my ID, I guess I just have to learn
to live with it." Elly lied a little, she was 26. But she didn't
want him to think she couldn't handle herself out there. 

"Okay, that make me feel better." Bobby nodded not sure he believe
her, but she lied good. 

"We should walk up from here, then if they are back at the cabin
they won't know we are here." She parked the jeep. "I'll get that
sweater for you." Elly reached into the back of the jeep and pulled
out a old sweater of her brothers she'd borrowed once and never
returned because she liked it to much. 

Bobby shed his jacket and  pulled the wool hand made sweater over
his head, "This is really nice, thanks for letting me use it."

"You're welcome, here's a hat too." She passed him a wool watch
cap/hat. The kind with a short brim. She had a hat in her jacket
but her long hair usually kept her warn until the temp dropped
below thirty. 

Bobby let her lead, it was her job to find the trail. Elly moved
soundlessly thru the trees, she checked on the cabin and it was
still empty. 

"No one is there, doesn't look like they stayed long when you
surprised them there." 

"Yeah, I thought so too, just a stop off point. They must have
another place around here." Bobby guessed.

"With Earl it's hard to say, he could have three or four other cabins
he uses. Come on I'll look for a fresh trail." Elly moved off to the
north, it was the direction she would have taken if she was headed
for another cabin or out into the deep woods. 

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

"Can we stop for a minute, I've got a pain in my side." Darien whined.

"Okay, city boy take a breather." Earl growled. He removed his pack and
shook out a cigarette. 

Darien was trying to keep his bearings, but he wasn't very good in the
woods and he was sure he was going to get ever more lost if they
walked much further. He'd considered quick silvering a number of times
but he didn't have much left and he hated to waist it with out a clear
plan of action. He didn't want to get himself lost just to get away. 

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

"Eberts is there any news from Hobbes?" The Official returned to
his office from a meeting with the his superior at the Federal 
Building. 

"No, Sir Hobbes checked in about an hour ago. That was the last
we heard from him." Eberts jumped to his feet. 

"Humm, have you notified the Keeper to be ready to go north?"

"Yes, Sir she is ready to leave at a moments notice." 

"Then I suggest you and she leave now. I want you to report back to
me as soon as you reach the area." 

"Me Sir, with Dr. Keeply?" Eberts hadn't really wanted to do field
work.

"Yes, you now go!" The Official barked. 

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

Bobby and Elly managed to find a trail, a truck had been parked. More drag marks, then
shoe prints, not boot prints. 

"Your friend, he's not wearing hiking boots." Elly pointed out the prints to Hobbes. 

"Yeah, good which way did they go?" 

"North, I'll radio back to Luke where we are headed." Elly explained and headed back to the jeep.

Bobby stayed put, " I hope you're using your head Partner." 

Elly turned on the radio and made the call. She was just grabbing her day pack from the
back of the jeep before rejoining Hobbes. She also took her rifle, it was heavy and she hoped
she wouldn't need it, but it was always better to have it and not use it, than to not have it an wish
she did. 

"Ready, you feel warm enough?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, let's go." Bobby nodded. 

He followed her up the trail, but they soon turned off into the trees again. There was nothing to
follow that he could see, but he was giving her his trust, that she knew what she was doing. 
Elly wasn't following a trail, per say, she was heading in the last known direction Earl had taken.
She knew of several cabins north of their location she expected to find him near one of them.

"Is it alright if we talk as we walk?" Bobby moved up a little so he didn't have to shout.

"Sure, want to tell me about your partner?" Elly asked.

"Fawkes? Oh yeah I guess, Darien Fawkes he's kind of new to this Federal Agent stuff. 
But he's a good man, just reckless sometimes."

"Is that why he's the one we are looking for, he was being reckless this morning?" 

"No, we approached the cabin, but he started shooting before we so much as identified our
selves. I was hit with one of those dart things, then the next thing I know, Fawkes is gone
our van is gone. You didn't see any sign of that back there did you?"

"Only tire tracks leading back down the road. They probably stashed it where it will be hard to
find .From his shoe prints, I'd saw he's tall, but not heavy." 

"Yeah, kind of thin he runs like a gazelle but he can't fight worth crap." Bobby added. 

Elly smiled at that statement. "I'll lead us to them, after that it's your show." 

"Thanks, I appreciate your help." Bobby said it, and ment it. 

"You said he's new to this Federal Agent stuff, then you haven't been partners long?"


"No about eight months, but I'm teaching him."

"You've been an Agent awhile then?" 

"Yeah, you could say that, about fifteen years. You always wanted to be a guide, or are you
just helping out?" 

"Yeah, well it's kind of the family business. Luke called for my dad to come and help you.
But he was out on a trip already, I'm trained as a EMT, I was just home for a visit." 
Elly explained. 

"Yeah, you don't live here any more then?" Bobby sounded a little surprised. 

"I live in Ridgecrest, but I trained in LA, did two years there. That's like
ten most places you learn a lot in a short amount of time." 

"I'll bet, you don't miss it then?"

"What living in the city, no I just knew if I wanted to learn I had to go there.
If you're going to do something for a living, you should be the best you can at it."
Elly told him her personal phyisophy. 
"Take a breather, we are headed up range, it's going to get steeper soon." 

Bobby was about to protest he was fine, but then decided not to. He'd already
jog trotted three, four miles, he could use a breather.   

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

"Eberts why don't you let me drive for awhile." Claire was bored with being navigator.
Eberts had already marked off the route they were to take to reach King's Canyon
National Park, she really didn't have much to do. 

"I'll stop for gas soon and we can switch then." Eberts was driving an agency car, and
he was only driving the speed limit. He wasn't about to get a speeding ticket. 

"I wish the Official wouldn't send them out so far from home. He knows Darien has
limits to his abilities." Claire said kind of just as a statement. 

"We were the only agency that was willing to look into the matter.  A kidnapping case
is usually FBI, but the boss owed a favor to the SAC in LA so he sent Fawkes and Hobbes."
Eberts explained. 

"Oh, that explains a lot, I was wondering why he didn't send me along if he expected them to
take several days." 

"It was  supposed to be a simple missing person case, then a note was sent asking for money.
The local police thought it was a joke, the man being blackmailed only makes sixty thousand a
year as a environmental researcher." 

" He's not exactly the type kidnappers usually target." 

"No, but he is a Government employee so the Bureau was called in, just in case it was a real
kidnapping. But they contacted us, and here we are." Eberts sighed. 

"I just hope Darien doesn't go into quicksilver madness again so soon after the last time.
It puts a terrible strain on  his system." Claire added. 

"Agent Fawkes may be unconventional in his methods but he isn't foolish. He'll monitor his
toxic level more closely now that he's experienced the madness." Eberts tried to reassure her.

"I hope you're right." Claire sighed. "We've been on the road for four hours already, how
long did you say this was going to take?" 

"I estimated eight hours at least." He broke the news to her. 

Claire reached  to tune in the radio, to pass the time. But as it was an agency car the radio
was only AM and there where no stations in range. 
"So Albert, tell me what do you like to do with your share time?" Claire asked, she'd worked
with him for almost a year and didn't know much about his private life. 

"I read, write soft ware programs. I just finished a course in Chinese Cooking at the community
center." 

"Cooking, I never knew you liked cooking. I'm not a very good cook myself. I mean I do make
a few things well but not a lot of different things." She confessed. 

" I find it relaxing after a long day, and you get to eat the results." He tried to make a joke.

"You'll have to give me a few pointers. I've always liked Chinese." 

"Yes, I've noticed the lab refrigerator is often stocked with small white boxes." He smiled.

"Okay I really like Chinese and they deliver, I'm usually to busy to go out for anything."

"I'd be glad to bring you lunch from the deli when I go for the Official's lunch. You don't have
to always order Chinese." He offered. 

"You go and bring back the Official's lunch every day?" Claire asked, she knew Eberts catered
to her boss, she never thought he was quiet so sub serviant. 

"Yes, most days, sometimes he goes to lunch." Eberts looked embarrassed. 

"That would be very nice of you, but I wouldn't expect all the time, just every so often."
Claire patted his arm. 

Eberts nodded.   

"Books you like to read? I use to read all the time, still do but now it's mostly medical
journals and research papers. Tell me about a good book you've read?" Claire changed
the topic.

"Oh, I like murder mysteries, and science fiction. Although now a days, science fiction is
more like science fact considering who we work with." 

"You can say that again. But tell me about  a good book." 

"Well there was this one by John Douglas that was fascinating..." 

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

It was getting dark and Darien was really getting worried. He hoped Bobby was on his
back trail coming to the rescue. 

" We're going to have to set up for the night soon. I'll put you in place in the morning and
leave you with some food and water." 

"Hey, man you're not going to just leave me out here are you?" 

"That's the plan, we need enough time to pick up the ransom money and make our
get away."  Earl motioned for Darien to keep walking, it was up hill and was slow going
even for him.

"But I could wander around in these woods for weeks lost." Darien pointed out.

"I'll give you a hint about which way to go, if you stick to it you'll reach civilization
in five or six days." Earl promised him.

"Five or six days, what about frost bite? Bears?" Darien was worried, he didn't really think
Earl was planning on leaving  him in the woods alone. 

" This time of year the only thing you have to fear from bears is if you get in between a
mother and her cubs, and it's not anywhere near cold enough for frost bite." 
Earl sounded surprised Darien didn't already know this things. 

"Oh, okay what else do I need to know?" 

"'I'll leave you a canteen, you can refill it from any of the streams in this area. But do it from
the moving water. " 

"Yeah." Darien nodded. It seemed Earl really didn't want to kill him and leave his body
out in the woods. He just wanted him out of the way. 

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

"It's getting dark, we need to set up camp for the night." Elly said when they reached a small
flat area. She stopped and pulled out her radio. 
"Luke you there?" 

"Luke come in over?" she tried again. Bobby frowned, their only link to help and he was
probably asleep. 

"Luke this is Elly Red Horse you listening?" She tried one more time. " I'll give him another
try when we make camp. He might just be taking a bathroom break or something." 
Elly suggested. 

"Or something," Bobby guffed. He hadn't thought much of the old Ranger. 

"Let go, it's about another couple of miles to a cabin we might be able to use." 
Elly turned to the left slightly and head off again. Bobby followed her, pulling his 
hat down as it kept creeping up leaving his ears out in the chill air.          

They reached a cabin, just as the sun was setting over the trees. It was a red sunset so good
weather for the following day. 
"That's nice, I hope Fawkes is alive to see it." Bobby said. 

"Earl is a tough character, but he's not a killer, so long as he'd not backed into a corner." 

"If you would grab some wood from the box there, I'll set up our evening meal." Elly advised.

"Sure, "Bobby lifted the lid of the box on the porch and found a selection of cut logs to choose from.

Elly opened the door and sneezed as soon as she stepped inside. 

"Bless you, no one has been here recently." Bobby said from behind her, his arms full of cut wood.

"No, just put the logs on the bricks there, I'll start a fire in a few minutes." 

"I think I can manage to start a fire in a fireplace, if you will allow me." Bobby smiled at her.

"Sure knock your socks off." Elly laughed, she turned towards the small wooden table and looked
for a broom she knew was stashed in the 'kitchen' area. She swept off the table with the broom,
then cleaned up the floor and emptied the dirt out to the side of the cabin. Then she unpacked
the food she'd carried in her pack all day. They had instant beef stew, just add water. 
Several small cans  of fruit, some dry fruit, nuts for eating on the trail. Energy bars for breakfast
the next day or lunch or both. And since her mom had just finished cutting it, a neatly wrapped
package of fresh bread four slices. She had some instant coffee for in the morning but she
wouldn't waist it now. They would have to have water for dinner, or tea, she did have a few
tea bags. 
She unpacked two plates, two mugs and spoons, forks, she had only one knife. Besides her
hunting knife strapped to her side. 

Bobby was busy laying a fire, he'd visited his aunt and uncle often enough to have picked up
how you made a fire in a fireplace. He had a nice blaze going before he stood up and 
turned to see what Elly was up to. 

"Hey, that looks nice." 

"I just need to boil some water an we can eat." Elly had a small billy pot with a handle so you 
could hang it over the campfire. She did that , and stepped back.
"Nice fire, " 

"Thanks, I'm good at a few things." Bobby accepted her praise with a shrug. 

"I'd guess you're good at more than just a few." Elly commented and moved back to the
table to put her pack out of the way. 

Bobby blinked and wondered if she'd meant that they way it had sounded. 

Elly had, the more time she spent with Agent Hobbes the more she wished this was for
a pleasure camping trip and not to rescue his friend. Bobby looked like the type of man
she would enjoy getting to know better. He was removing his jacket, and hat. He looked
kind of rugged wearing her brother's sweater. She liked his build, wide shoulders, 
strong hands, she guessed from the amount of wood he'd carried in, there was strength
hiding under that sweater. Was it getting hot in the cabin already? 

" How did you whip up this nice spread from just your backpack ?" Bobby asked moving
to stand beside the small table. 

"Practice, and my mom sent along the bread she baked it this morning."  Elly nodded
towards the thick cuts of homemade bread. 

"My mouth is watering already." 

Elly thought so is mine, but it's not because of the bread.  She snuck a peek at Bobby's
backside when he moved to hand is jacket and hat on the hooks on the wall by the door.
Very nice, she swallowed a smile, so he wouldn't know she'd been checking him out. 

The water was almost boiling so Elly removed it from the fire and added the stew package.
It made enough for two people. She had to stir it up good then let it sit for a few minutes. 
Bobby was sitting at the table when she returned. He'd been doing a little checking out
of his own while her back was to him. But he was just looking, he wasn't about to flirt 
with her under the circumstances. He liked her long hair, her figure was nice too, just the
right size in his opinion. 

"This will be ready in a couple of minute go ahead and have some bread." Elly told him.

"I forgot to ask before do you want tea or water to drink?" 

"Water is good, I drink a lot of water." He picked up one of the slices of bread and took a 
bite, it just about melted in his mouth. "Oh, man tell your mom she's the best, this bread 
is great. Oh man, I haven't had bread this good since I left New York." 

"I'll tell her, she loves to feed people. You're from New York then?" 

"Yeah, long time ago, been working for the Government ever since I was out of the service." 

"Oh, let me guess you were a Marine right?" Elly had recognized a certain carriage she'd seen 
before. 

"Yeah, what gave me away?" Bobby laughed. 

"Oh I don't know maybe because you never complained during our hike up here today. "

"Yeah that would only get you another five miles." Bobby chuckled.

"So Agent Hobbes," She started

"Call me Bobby, please." 

"Bobby, you have a pack of kids and a wife at home?" 

"Me? No, no wife, no kids." Bobby shook his head. Maybe she was interested. 

"I guess you have your reasons." 

" I was married, but it didn't work out." Bobby answered.

"I'm sorry. I've no room to talk, my last serious relationship ended badly. I'm pushing
thirty and still single. That's a bad sign where I come from."  She dished him out a
plate full of stew. They ate in silence for a few minutes. But Bobby could never keep
quiet for long. 

"What happened with your last fella, if you don't mind me asking?" 

" He didn't like me being on call with my job, he wanted me to just stay home and
watch TV with him. But in a small town EMT is a twenty four hour a day job on the
days I work. It's not a nine to five kind of thing." 

" I know the feeling, when your job comes between you and your significant other. 
I'm kind of on call all of the time too." 

"Yeah, and you risk your life everyday." Elly nodded. She hadn't considered that, 
she wasn't sure she would like caring that much about a man that she could lose
at any moment. 

"This stew is even good, what did you do? Add some secret spices to it?" 
Bobby was trying to lighten the mood a little. 

"Yeah, old family secret. It's called season salt and a little garlic." She laughed. 

Bobby laughed to, and they switched topics to something less personal. 

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

Earl had also set up camp he had a fire going, but it was outside. Darien was tied hand and foot
now and sitting on the cold ground. Earl was heating up water for coffee, he liked hot coffee to
go with his jerky and trail mix. 

" Could you maybe untie me so I could eat here?" Darien asked, as nicely as he could. 

"You don't need your hands free to eat jerky, this ain't the Ritz." 

"That's for sure." Darien agreed. He tried to take a bite out of his jerky, but it was tough. 
It wasn't called jerky for nothing. 

"Here's some water, or do you want coffee?" Earl asked.

" Water is good, thanks." 

Darien sat close to the fire, trying to soak up as much heat as he could, he had a feeling he
was going to be very cold soon. 

Earl finished his meal, "If you have to pee, go do it now. I don't want to wake up and see 
you missing. I might just shoot first and ask questions later." 

"No, I took care of that before." 

"Then settle in." 

"Do you maybe have a blanket or something I could use?" Darien hoped he didn't have to
make do with only his jacket to sleep in. 

"Oh, yeah, I guess you will need something." Earl dug in his pack for a small space blanket.
It would do. 

"Thanks." Darien eyed the small package, it didn't look like much. He was sure it wouldn't
cover all of him at the same time unless he slept curled into a ball. He finished he jerky and
shook out the blanket. It was shiny silver on one side, he grinned, and plain gray on the other.
He moved to rest against a large log, and covered his shoulders, drawing up his knees.
He'd slept in worse positions. The blanket was small but it was keeping him warm.

Darien managed to fall to sleep, but he woke up every hour or so, his back was stiff from
the curled up position. But when ever he straighten out his legs they got cold.   
Earl was snoring on his side of the fire. He'd added wood once during the night and gone
right back to sleep. 

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

Elly had a small sleeping bag attached to the bottom of her pack. But since they were,
tracking a potential killer, she thought it best if they took turns standing guard. 

"Bobby, I was thinking, we need to keep watch tonight. I'll take the first watch, I'm sure
you're tired after your day." 

"I was thinking the same thing. You sure you want to take the first watch, I can..."
Bobby offered. 

"No, I'm fine, I'll wake you at midnight." She nodded. She picked her rifle up from where
it was leaning against the wall near the door. "I'm going to look around outside."

"Okay, goodnight." Bobby nodded. She'd handed him the sleeping bag and nodded
towards the rough made bed frame on the other side of the room. Bobby un rolled the
bag and removed his boots, he took of the sweater. Then paused. Should he go down
to his shorts and tee shirt, or keep on the jeans? He took of his chambray shirt, and
set it on top of the sweater. He decided, may as well be comfortable. He pulled of his
jeans, and slipped into the sleeping bag. 

Elly killed almost half an hour outside, she didn't want to be there when Bobby was getting
ready for bed. She was already attracted to him, she didn't need any more ideas.
She was sure  knowing he was undressing on the other side of the cabin would give her
all kinds of ideas. 

Bobby was sleeping when she returned, she was quiet and took a seat near the window
so she would be in a position to keep a look out. The fire was still burning well, so she
didn't have to stoke it yet. Elly felt foolish, being attracted to Bobby after knowing him 
only a few hours. She usually took much longer to decide she wanted someone. 
She usually had to like them, get to know them first. 
She didn't usually act on just a physical attraction. Not that she hadn't a few times, but that
had been when she was younger. She looked for substance now, character, a connection.

Elly spent four hours on watch, then she was about to go and wake Bobby, when she 
heard him moving around. She glanced over towards the bed, just in time to see him
stand up to pull on his jeans. Oh baby! She was wide wake now, her heart was racing.
He hadn't even been naked, but he was build really nice, everywhere. Damn, she was
never going to get to sleep now. 

Bobby heard a sharp breath coming from Elly, just when he was pulling on his jeans.
He must have surprised her, maybe he should have kept his clothes on.  It was to late now.
He pulled on the shirt and sweater, carrying his boots with him.

"My turn there Elly. You get some sleep." Bobby took the rifle from her as she stood. 
She locked eyes with him for a second, then lowered her head. Now was not the time
or the place for her to act on her feelings. 

"Thanks." Was all she managed to say. She went to the bed and pulled off her boots and
outer flannel shirt. Then she crawled into the bed, that was still warm from his body. 
Oh, God it ever smelled like him. A little bit aftershave, and a whole lot male. Elly sighed.
She rolled with her back towards him. She didn't think she would sleep at all. She was
much to turned on. But she did drift off. 

Bobby stoked the fire, and returned to the seat near the window. He was worried about his
partner, but they couldn't do much until the sun came up. He tried to think back, remember
something from the file about Dawson that might help Elly find him and Darien. 
He was supposed to wake her again in four hours, but he usually only slept four hours 
a night so he waited till near dawn before he woke her. 

"Elly, wake up. Time to get moving." Bobby touched her shoulder. 

"Bobby? Um, did I over sleep? I'm sorry." She turned to look up at him.
God he was a nice site to wake up to, she liked the stubble on him it looked good.

Bobby smiled at her, she looked nice, even rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"No you didn't over sleep it's morning. I didn't need any more sleep." 

"I'll put some water on for coffee." He moved towards the fireplace to let her
get herself together.

Elly blinked, and moved to sit up, she wiggled out of the sleeping bag and stretched.
Then she stuffed it back into the sac, and put on her boots. She needed to visit the
outhouse, she needed to brush her teeth. 
"I'll be back in a few minutes? Have you looked around outside yet this morning?"

"Yeah, a little while ago." Bobby nodded. 

The water was ready when she returned, he handed her a hot mug of instant coffee.

"Thanks, you're handy in the kitchen too." She said then wished she hadn't. 

"I can cook, you should taste my Calzone, they are to die for." Bobby joked. 

Elly just smiled and sipped her coffee, she had a few things to add put was trying
very hard to behave.

Bobby looked out the window, " Do you think we will catch up with them today?"

"Yeah, we should." 

"What did you mean before, I'm handy in the kitchen too? As in also, what was the
first thing?" Bobby was puzzled. 

Elly paled for the  moment, she couldn't tell him what she'd meant. She'd meant he was
really attractive, and he could be useful in the kitchen as well. That was a plus. 
"Ah,  you made a good fire yesterday, and now your making coffee..." 

"Oh, right." Bobby nodded. He'd already forgotten that. 

Whew, Elly thought, it was bad enough she was attracted to him, she didn't need
him knowing she was. At least not just yet. 

"Here have an energy bar, the don't taste to bad." She handed him one of the bars
from her pack. 

"Thanks," Bobby chewed in silence. He was deep in thought when she went to put
out the fire and grabbed her pack to leave. 

"I'm ready, are you?" 

"Yeah, sure." Bobby grabbed his hat and pulled on his jacket. "Let's hit the trail."
He checked his side arm to make sure it was secure in the holster. 

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

Claire and Eberts had reached the Park just as it was closing for the night. But the local
police was expecting them. One of the radio operators offered to take Claire home with
her for the night. Eberts however was only offered a cot at the station.  
He'd slept fitfully, but he was up and drinking coffee by the time Claire arrived back at
the station. 

"Eberts, any news?" Claire asked, she looked a bit frazzled. 

"No, I'm afraid not. But they have offered to take us up to the ranger station that is
closest to the area Darien went missing in. Are you alright?" Eberts was concerned.

"Yes, I'm fine, Miss Hendricks has several children and they just love when company 
comes to visit." Claire rolled her eyes. She prayed they found Darien soon. She hated
to think she would have to spend another night at the Hendricks house. 

"Would you like some coffee?" Eberts asked, he was ever mindful of other peoples needs.

"Yes, please. just show me where." Claire followed him to the back break room and the
coffee urn. 

"Ah, that's good, it's awful but it's caffeine. Thank  you Eberts, you are a life saver." 
Claire loved her morning coffee, and her hostess didn't believe in stimulants, no caffeine
no sugar, no alcohol. 

Eberts was dressed for the woods, Claire just now noticed he wasn't wearing his usual suit.
He looked nice, kind of more human more like one of the guys. 

" Officer Wilkins, this is Dr. Keeply she needs to be as close as we can get her to Agent
Fawkes's last know location. He has a serious medical condition that requires he have
medication at regular intervals." Eberts introduced Claire to the man in charge of their
case. 

"Hello Dr. I'll be ready to move out in a few minutes, have to wait for the Chief to clear 
my proposed course of action." The tall blonde officer nodded to her and removed his hat. 

"Nice to meet you, we will be ready when you are." Claire smiled at him . 

end part two