Debriefing Eberts knew about Darien and Robert. He wasn't surprised, he'd picked up on Darien's feelings for Robert months ago. He did feel sorry for Alex, she'd almost found the man that could give her what she appeared to need. He sighed and returned to his desk. There was nothing he could do for her. Even if he wanted to. Which he did, but that was even more absurd than Darien and Robert pairing off. Alex was still assigned to the State Department, she would be gone again in a few days. Alex walked towards her old office, she still kept her things there, even after she'd been reassigned. She was officially an employee of the Agency. Her dinner with Darien and Hobbes had been interesting. They did love one another. She was surprised they could manage to keep their hands off each other when they were out in public. She'd been looking over some computer files when there was a knock at her door. "Come in." "Agent Monroe, nice to see you again. The Official wanted me to pass these memos on to you a few policy statements." He walked into her office and lay them on the corner of her desk. "How have you been Eberts?" She studied him as he crossed the room. There was something a little different about him, but she wasn't sure what is was. "I'm well thank you. May I say you're undercover persona is very interesting." Eberts liked her with long hair, not that he'd ever say so. "Thanks, sit down for a minute. Tell me what's been going on around here.?" "I believe Claire has already told you about the change in Darien's situation. He no longer needs counteragent." "Yeah, right. We got some money for that case in San Francisco, but those are the only things I've heard about. You look different, why is that?" Eberts had taken up rock climbing, well artificial rock climbing at the local YMCA, he'd decided for his new year resolution he'd learn to do something besides get to the 12th level of Tomb Raider. As a consequence he'd lost a little over ten pounds and toned up. He didn't think that was what was different about him. He'd just gotten a hair cut, perhaps. "I don't believe there is anything different about my appearance, perhaps it's just that you've been gone." "No, there's something. Do you have a new lady in your life?" "No, I'm unattached. Well if you have everything you need I'll just go back to my office." Eberts stood. That was it, he looked taller, no trimmer. Not that he'd been pump like the boss but next to Darien almost everyone looked heavy. She'd even mistaken Hobbes's outdated jackets as an attempt to hide a paunch, she'd been way off with that one. Hobbes was in as good shape as Fawkes, only he didn't flaunt it as often. "I know you've taken up pumping iron, " Alex stood up and walked towards him . Eberts backed up. "Easy there Albert, I'm not going to jump you." She did a quick turn around him and nodded, "looking good seriously what are you doing?" "I took up rock climbing at the Y, it's a bit of a rush." He admitted. "Good for you, keep at it, everyone should have a hobbie that makes the blood get pumping." Alex smiled at him. "Yes, well thank you. Good bye." Eberts blinked then turned to leave. "Albert?" "Yes Miss Monroe?" "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, but I can see a change in the way you carry yourself." She complemented him. "Not at all," He nodded and go the heck out of there. Alex was gone two days later and he tried very hard to put the little scene in her office out of his mind. He did continue the rock climbing classes, he enjoyed the rush, it was fun. It was the only time he allowed himself away from his pager the few hours he spent at the Y each week. Darien and Hobbes were sent to the east coast to help with a tricky assignment. Alex returned from her undercover assignment at the end of the day one Thursday. She seemed stressed. "Eberts, is the Official in?" "No, I'm afraid he's not, he's on the east coast." "Are Fawkes and Hobbes around?" "No, I'm sorry they are also on the east coast." "Great, thanks." She turned and walked out. But she was back again an hour later. She'd come to speak with Claire, she needed to talk to someone that had clearance. Claire was also missing, but for another reason. She was at a medical conference in St Louis. "Miss Monroe, do you need anything before I leave?" Eberts found her in the lab. "No, not unless you're cleared to debrief me." "I can if you wish, but you'll still have to debrief with the Official when he returns." Eberts didn't like the tremor he saw in her hand. Something very serious must have happened on her mission. "Perhaps if you sat down." He pulled out a chair for her. "Thanks, ah could I talk to you for a minute?" Alex swallowed and looked in to his eyes. Eberts was the last person she wanted to talk to about this, well no Bobby would be the absolutely last person. He wouldn't be able to keep from razing her about it. Eberts didn't do that, he kept confidential information secret. Maybe he would be a good person to talk to after all. Eberts was waiting he knew she was thinking, he was patient. "Ah you know about the undercover assignment I was on?" Alex started. "Yes, I read the file when it was forwarded over to the Official for approval." Eberts nodded. "Things got very intense at the end there the last three days I wasn't sure if my cover had been blown or not. I was trying to maintain my cover and protect the daughter of the ambassador at the same time. The left wing group that was planning on kidnaping her to use as a bargaining chip against her mother, made an attempt, but the fools sent in an inapt team for the snatch. One of them did manage to grab her, then he almost killed her on his ill planned escape from the building. If I'd been a few seconds later." Alex shook her head, remembering the look of fear on the little girls face. "I'm sorry, but you did reach her in time. The summary report came this morning." "Yeah, she's okay, but it was close." Alex looked back at him. "You were the perfect agent for that assignment, you foiled the attempt and managed to capture three of the group that planned the kidnaping." Eberts praised her work. "Thanks, it was just so close. I hate putting innocent kids at risk. When I told my superior that he was a pig headed jack ass for risking the girls life that way, he wasn't pleased." Alex leaned forward and tried to relax, she forced out a breath. "Sometimes the methods our bosses go to seem like they've gone to far. I argued with The Official when he denied Claire the option of freeing Darien from his quicksilver madness. But he stood his ground, more worried about the big picture than just the effect it would have on one agent." "He denied Claire permission?" Alex looked up. She hadn't heard about that. "Yes, but she couldn't live with his decision, so she gave Darien the treatment anyway knowing she would lose her job." Eberts explained. "But she's still here?" "Yes, well Darien blackmailed the Official into rehiring her. He agreed to return to the Agency if Claire got her job back and a few other things." Eberts smiled. "Thanks Albert, I appreciate you listening to me and filling me in. Why are you here this late if the boss is out of town?" "Holding down the fort." He shrugged.