"Anything?" Bobby slid into the passenger seat and conscientiously placed a peck on Claire's cheek, in case anyone was watching.

She shook her head. "I haven't seen anyone suspicious. Are you sure about this, Bobby?"

"I'm sure. Just drive a couple of blocks south. I've hired another car so we can change shifts." Bobby grinned at her. "Even those CIA bozos would start wondering if the same car was parked outside their headquarters for half a day."

Just the few minutes it took to drive those two blocks and drive back again had Bobby feeling jumpy. He left Claire in the other car, with instructions to relieve him in a few hours. Then he settled in to wait. Over the years he'd learned to switch off enough of his attention, while still being alert to notice anything significant, but today he was jittery and he knew exactly why that was. Darien.

He'd let the kid get under his skin, that was what. It wasn't just the sex either, though he'd never been the kind to go for casual sex. Very little about his life was casual. Still, he could usually put aside his feelings when he was involved in a case, except where Vivian was concerned; and now Darien had got to him too. It would probably get him killed one day, but it would be worth dying for, to have what he and Darien had somehow found together.

Bobby fidgeted in his seat and muttered under his breath. It was unlikely he'd turn up something significant today, or even tomorrow. It could be days. He hoped not, because Claire would have to go back to San Diego before she was missed, and Darien might need her help.

The afternoon dragged on, with nothing to relieve the boredom. When Claire returned, Bobby drove back to the hotel for a few hours sleep.

*

It was late the following afternoon when the break came. A dark green sedan drew out of the alley and turned left.

"It's him. He's in the back." Bobby jammed the car into gear and pulled out hurriedly, without so much as a glance at the oncoming traffic. Luckily, there weren't any cars dangerously close.

Even so, Claire flinched. "Are you sure? There wasn't much time. I didn't see any of them clearly enough."

"I'm sure." He would have recognised Darien in a lot less time and from a lot further away than that.

Bobby kept at least three cars between them and Darien's car as they wound their way through the city. The sedan pulled up outside a sports stadium and, as Bobby closed the gap, he saw Darien slip out of the back door and cross the sidewalk into the stadium.

He stopped their car and dived out the door as Claire hurriedly slid over into the driver's seat. Darien's height made it easier to follow him, but Bobby was well behind him as he followed the slouching figure into the mass of people. It could have been worse, he supposed. It was still early enough that the majority of fans hadn't yet arrived.

Darien was halfway up the stairs, using that long legged stride to take the steps two and three at a time, when Bobby finally got a clear space that allowed him to catch up. He grabbed at his lover's arm. "Darien."

The face that turned to him was almost a stranger's. Almost, but not quite... he'd seen the Quicksilver madness in Darien's eyes more often than he wanted to remember. Instinctively, he flinched away and Darien simply turned away with no more than a snarl. Bobby hesitated, his heart pounding, but he had no real option other than to follow.

There were even fewer people on the next landing up, where the corporate boxes were. Bobby looked down into the lobby and saw Claire. He waved and caught her attention, then turned, looking for Darien. As he watched, Darien Quicksilvered, then the door to one of the boxes opened and closed quietly.

He hoped there wasn't anybody already in the box, but until Claire arrived with her tranquilliser gun, he wasn't prepared to go up against Darien. There was just too much danger of having to hurt him.

"What's up?" Claire reached his side, puffing a little. "Where is he?"

Bobby jerked his head towards the box door. "In there. He's going gland happy. Got your dart gun?" He knew she'd brought it with her, in case of this kind of eventuality. Claire produced it, looking grim and he took it. "He's gone see through. Grab that fire extinguisher. We're probably gonna need it."

She got it straight away and Bobby smiled. Claire might be a scientist not an agent, but she had good instincts. If she hadn't, he would never have let her come, counteragent or no counteragent.

When they were both ready, Bobby eased the door open and slipped through, leaving just enough space for Claire. There was nobody in the box. "Fawkes. It's Bobby. Why don't you just drop the saran wrap stuff and say hello."

"No, you're not."

The voice came from the corner by the bar. Bobby exchanged a glance with Claire and she nodded, holding the fire extinguisher ready.

"We're gonna take you home, Fawkes." Bobby eased himself a little closer, making sure Darien couldn't get past him to the door. "Don't you wanna go home?"

"I don't have a home." Darien's voice choked off. "Get away from me, you bastard!"

Bobby felt something brush past him and then Claire cried out and let loose with the extinguisher. For a moment, Darien's outline was clear as he hesitated at the door. That was all Bobby needed. He shot. The door slammed back and Claire went flying. Bobby ran past her without a second glance.

In the landing there was no sign of Darien and for a horrible moment Bobby thought maybe he'd missed and Darien had got away. Then his lover's sprawled body shimmered into visibility near the top of the stairs, right under the shocked stares of a couple of middle-aged men.

After that it was easy. Bobby flashed his badge and got the witnesses away from Darien while Claire gave him a shot of counteragent. Then Bobby hoisted Darien to his feet with Claire's assistance and they dragged him down the stairs, one arm over each of their shoulders. Once they were in the car, Bobby floored the accelerator and they were gone, before there was any sign of the men who had brought Darien to the stadium.

*

Darien drifted back into consciousness, distantly aware of an eerie floating sensation. It felt strange, yet somehow familiar. Then it registered. For the first time in weeks, maybe months, there was not the slightest hint of Quicksilver madness. Bailey must have given him an over-generous dose of counteragent. He sighed, without opening his eyes, and relaxed into the mattress.

"He's coming round." The voice was familiar too. Claire, his former keeper had that same kind of accent, which Bobby had insisted was English, but he'd been sure was something else.

He was aware that the woman who had spoken was standing close by, but her voice sounded slightly muffled, as though she was partly turned away from him. She moved away, and someone else took her place. "Hey, big guy. Time to wake up."

It was the one voice he'd thought he would never hear again. His eyes flew open to see Bobby's worried face hovering over him. Darien's throat tightened so that he could hardly breathe, let alone speak. He lunged upwards and flung an arm around Bobby's neck. Immediately, Bobby's arms went around him and they kissed hungrily.

For long moments Darien was aware of nothing except the heat of Bobby's body, the taste of his mouth, and the furious pounding of both their hearts. Then the sound of a throat being cleared made them break apart, though Bobby didn't release him. He turned his head to see Claire watching them with unconcealed amusement.

"I think I'll just go for a walk." She smiled. "It's good to see you again, Darien."

Darien was barely aware that the door had closed behind her. He stared up into Bobby's hazel eyes, seeing the changes in his lover. He looked like he'd been to Hell and back. But he was alive... incredibly, he was alive and whole. Darien curled his hand around the nape of Bobby's neck, feeling the soft short hairs tickling his fingers. He pulled Bobby's head down and kissed him again.

The first few moments were frantic, as though they were both trying to erase all memories of their separation by the intensity of their kisses alone. Darien felt like he was being dropped over Niagara Falls in a barrel, tumbled and battered by overwhelming emotions. When he finally pulled back, breathless and shaking, his lips felt bruised, almost raw.

Silently, Bobby slid onto the bed beside him and they lay facing each other. Darien could see that he was not in much better shape; the hands that reached for him, that slid under his T-shirt and caressed his bare skin, were shaking pitifully. In spite of his sore lips, Darien leaned eagerly towards Bobby again. Even if he'd had breath to speak with, Darien knew that he would never find the words to convey how much he needed Bobby right now. Or how empty his life had been since they'd been apart.

Bobby's tongue invaded his mouth, slowly, sensuously, exploring every contour of tongue, teeth and gums. Then he withdrew, an unspoken invitation for Darien to follow. The gentle exchange continued until Darien's head was spinning.

"Is this okay?" Bobby's voice was hushed. His fingers had somehow found their way to Darien's chest and were tracing random patterns over his ribs.

It took a moment for Darien to register that Bobby was asking a question. When he couldn't manage to answer verbally, another long kiss was confirmation enough. He brought his hand up to stroke Bobby's cheek. Bobby's eyes crinkled at the corners, and suddenly Darien knew that he was going to be all right.

"Bobby..." His voice sound cracked and dry. Darien swallowed awkwardly. "...love you, Bobby."

The hazel eyes brightened with tears, but Bobby kept it tied down. "I love you too, Darien. Not gonna lose you again."

"No." Darien sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. All he was aware of was the slow movement of Bobby's fingers against his skin. "Need you..."

Bobby's lips brushed against his. "You got me kid. Bobby's gonna look after you. It's okay."

"No." Darien opened his eyes again and took a deep breath. His body felt weighed down by exhaustion but he struggled against it to make himself understood. "Need you to make love to me."

"I dunno, Darien. You look pretty bad." Bobby's eyes, his concern evident in their depths, searched his face. "You need to rest."

"Please Bobby." Darien took Bobby's face between his hands and gave him a pleading look. "I need you... need to feel you... please."

"I'm gonna take it slow, okay? If you need me to stop you just say so." Bobby waited for him to nod his agreement, then rolled him onto his back. "Just take it easy. Let me do this."

The caressing fingers slid up and brushed lightly against his nipple, making Darien gasp. It felt so good that, almost before he was aware of it, Darien was arching his body into the touch, silently demanding more.

Bobby chuckled softly. "Let's get this show on the road." He pulled Darien's T-shirt up, and Darien hurriedly lifted his arms to allow Bobby to peel it off over his head. "Mmn... that's better."

Darien smiled up at him and reached for the top button of his shirt. "Not yet." His fingers were trembling, but he managed to get a few buttons undone and then Bobby pulled the shirt off over his head. He peeled off his undershirt and dropped that too. "Now..."

The feel of warm bare skin pressing against him was sheer delight. It seemed like an eternity since he'd last felt this, and his body ached for it. He moaned at the touch of Bobby's hands, gentle and reassuring as the kisses Bobby placed on his lips. He brushed his fingers down Bobby's spine and laughed softly as Bobby shivered against him. It was good to feel the fluid rippling of muscle under his hands.

Gentle lips brushed against the pulse point just below his jaw. And again at the base of his throat. It was almost too good. An ache started in his chest, making it hard to breathe and Darien had to fight back tears of relief and reaction. Only a few hours ago he'd been living in a state of hopelessness, now anything seemed possible.

"You okay, kid?" Bobby pushed himself up on his elbow.

Darien smiled shakily. "Don't stop, Bobby."

Obediently, Bobby lowered his head over Darien's chest. Darien knew what was coming next, but still the sweet sensation of Bobby's lips sucking his nipple surprised a cry out of him. He moved restlessly as warm pleasure spread from his nipple down to his groin and Bobby chuckled against his chest, sending delicious vibrations along his skin.

It had been too long since Darien's body had last felt this good. The sensations peaked then eased off into something more manageable. He relaxed, dazed with pleasure, and content to let Bobby do whatever he wanted. It came as no real surprise when Bobby's hand smoothed its way down his abdomen and came to rest on the top button of his jeans.

He pushed his hips up encouragingly and Bobby lifted his head long enough to grin at Darien before bending to suck his nipple again. The button slipped free and Darien heard the rasp of the zipper as it slowly descended. Bobby's hand slipped inside and brushed lightly over his cock.

"Darien..."

He'd known this would happen from the moment he realised that his body wasn't responding the way his emotions were. Darien met Bobby's worried eyes. "It's okay. I know I can't... I just want to feel you." He swallowed and ran a dry tongue over drier lips. "Make love to me Bobby. I need you to make love to me."

There was no way Bobby could refuse him and he knew it; Bobby needed this as much as he did. Darien lifted his hips when Bobby pushed his jeans and shorts down, then reached impatiently for Bobby's pants. Between them they managed to get Bobby naked too, then rolled together, legs tangling, arms clinging, trying to melt into each other's bodies.

For a short while that was enough. Bobby's cock was pressing hot and eager against Darien's belly but, good as that felt, Darien wanted more. He drew back a little, taking hold of the thick cock and stroking it cautiously. His carefulness was soon rewarded as Bobby shuddered violently, then settled into a steady rhythm, thrusting easily into his hand.

"Oh God... yeah..." Bobby nuzzled his chest and reached between them to stroke Darien's cock, still no more than half hard. "God, Darien..."

Darien clamped his free hand round the back of Bobby's neck and drew him in for a long, searching kiss. The quick thrusts slowed, then stopped.

"Dammit, I can't. Not if you really want me to fuck you." Bobby's annoyance was almost comical. "Are you ready?"

"I sure am, partner." Darien grinned up at him. His fingers strayed restlessly over Bobby's cock, then slid down to fondle the tight balls beneath. "Anytime you are."

Bobby leaned down to kiss him quickly. "You keep doing that, and it'll all be over before you know it."

Darien removed his hand reluctantly and drew his legs up. He thought he saw Bobby's eyes glaze over a little, but then Bobby's face disappeared into his groin. Darien's eyes rolled back in his head.

The gentle sucking on his cock was sheer bliss. It didn't matter that he was barely half-hard, it still felt incredible. Even better when Bobby's fingers slid inside his ass and began a slow massage of his prostate.

Once Bobby was satisfied, he straightened up, poising himself above Darien's body as he guided his cock into his lover. Darien pulled him down into a tight embrace and they lay still, breathing in short gasps until the flood of arousal ebbed a little.

Bobby began to move inside him with slow, deep thrusts that continued the stimulation of his prostate. Almost unconsciously, Darien rocked into his thrusts, as he had so many times before. The gentle rhythm was infinitely comforting and familiar, and Darien felt his cock hardening at last. He took Bobby's face between his hands and kissed him lingeringly, savouring the pleasure and the memories of other times.

But it soon became obvious that Bobby was struggling to hold back. Darien could feel it in the tremors of his body and see it in the frown that was gathering on his face. "It's all right, Bobby, just let go. It's okay."

He brought his legs up and wrapped them around Bobby's hips, using that grip to thrust his body onto Bobby's cock. They both shuddered and Bobby groaned. "Geez, Darien… I can't…"

Whatever battle Bobby was fighting, he lost it then. With another groan, he dropped his head to rest against Darien's shoulder and his cock drove deep and hard into Darien's body. For Darien it was over in a moment. White heat seared through him and he convulsed, barely feeling the spurt of semen against his belly in the rush of sensations. And Bobby was still inside him, still pursuing his own release. Darien clung to him, too depleted to help his lover. Still, he could feel the tremors becoming stronger; could almost feel the climax growing, as though Bobby's body was his own.

"God… Darien…" Bobby's head reared up, and his cock thrust deep into Darien one last time. Then he let loose a wild cry as he came.

They froze there, Darien staring up at the taut curve of Bobby's throat for what seemed like an eternity as Bobby's cock pulsed inside him. Then time returned to its normal flow as Bobby collapsed across him.

*

Somehow Bobby managed to drag some of the bedding haphazardly over the two of them, while Darien lay speechless and dazed in his arms. Even in the last four days, when he knew that Darien was alive, he hadn't allowed himself to think of this - that he would hold Darien again in a sweaty, satisfied lover's embrace. It was too much to take in, too much to feel, and he'd needed to be in control.

Now it was a reality, and he was struggling to stay awake. Darien had already succumbed and was lying limp against his side. They ought to be talking. There was information he needed, plans that had to be worked out. Not emotional stuff, that would have to wait until later. Bobby knew he couldn't handle that now; it had to be business all the way. But, God, he needed to hear Darien's voice.

It wasn't going to happen right now, so Bobby kissed the sweaty hair that was tickling his chin and settled in to wait. He fell asleep almost immediately. It wasn't for long, he was far too keyed up for deep sleep, but he drifted in and out of a light doze and finally surfaced about an hour later. There was still no sign of Claire, and he wasn't sure whether he was pleased about that or not. The need to be alone with Darien was constantly struggling against the need to be making plans to ensure his ultimate safety.

Bobby eased himself free from beneath Darien's sprawl and padded into the bathroom for a washcloth. Claire was bound to return before much longer and he didn't want them both stinking of sex when she did. He wiped himself down, then Darien, and tossed the cloth back into the washbasin.

Unable to resist this particular temptation, he climbed back into the bed and lay watching his lover sleep. Darien had lost weight. Well, they both had, but where Bobby could stand to lose a few pounds, Darien had been skinny enough to start with. His face was thinner too, and paler, and there were dark shadows under his eyes that looked like they'd been there for a long time.

"What have they done to you kid?" He touched Darien's cheek lightly and the younger man stirred, his eyelids fluttering. Bobby drew back his hand at once, but it was too late.

"Hey." Darien's smile widened into an all out yawn. He reached for Bobby, drawing him closer, and Bobby went without the slightest hesitation. So much for planning… his mouth was busy enough but there weren't any sounds coming out of it.

He wrapped his arms around Darien, wanting to feel his lover's body everywhere against his own. How many nights had he lain awake, aching for this and believing he would never have it again? As he lay there, stroking his fingers over Darien's back, feeling Darien's caresses in return, Bobby felt the sharp edges of his pain dissolving, losing their sting. It would take time, a long time probably, but the healing had begun for him. He could only hope that it had started for Darien too.

Certainly, Darien seemed content, making soft little moaning sounds that tugged at Bobby's heart and groin in about equal measure. He felt his cock swelling and told himself that it was too soon, that nothing was going to happen. And still his hand crept downwards until he felt the velvet softness of Darien's cock against his palm, and the tickle of his pubic hair.

Darien sighed against his cheek and stretched, pressing himself into Bobby's touch. His tongue infiltrated Bobby's mouth with sleepy sensuality, then retreated. Bobby pursued. He barely registered the knock on the door; it was the flash of movement that he caught from the corner of his eye that made him pull back suddenly. Then he remembered the sound.

"Oh, don't stop on my account." Claire smiled brightly. "I'll just sit over here and watch."

Bobby saw Darien grin wickedly, and risked a quick glance downward. The covers he'd drawn over them both were enough for decency, but did nothing to disguise the exact position of his hand. He hurriedly snatched it away. Claire's smile widened.

Rolling onto his side, Bobby flung his legs over the edge of the bed and sat up. His shorts and pants were on the floor beside the bed and he managed to pull them on without showing too much skin to his one woman audience. He dragged his undershirt on and buttoned his shirt over the top, deciding morosely, that he'd better leave it hanging out if he wanted to avoid any more knowing smirks. Behind him, Darien sat up and Bobby passed over his jeans and T-shirt.

While Darien dressed, Bobby went over to where Claire was sitting in one of the easy chairs. He perched on the arm of the other one. "What took you so long?"

Claire leaned back in the chair. "I wanted to see what was happening at their headquarters."

"You weren't supposed to do that! What if they saw you?" Claire didn't answer and Bobby was torn between wanting to know and his disapproval of her actions. "So, what was happening?"

"It's hard to say. There was a lot of activity, but I didn't get the feeling they had anything definite to go on."

"Is this a private conversation, or can anybody join?" Darien sauntered over looking tousled and sleepy and too post-coital to be entirely decent, even fully clothed. "Bobby, you take the chair."

Bobby took one look at the dark circles around Darien's eyes. "No, you take the chair."

"You take it."

"Darien, you look like shit. You take the chair."

Darien rolled his eyes and dropped into the chair, sinking into an easy sprawl. The top of his head reached Bobby's nose, and Bobby had to resist the urge to bury it in that unruly mop of hair. He glanced up to see Claire watching Darien.

"You really do look pretty bad, Darien."

"Yeah, well, after the last few months..." Bobby felt Darien tense up. He glanced up at Bobby then across at Claire. "Why are you guys here? I mean, why now? Why not last week, or next week? Why not three months ago?"

Suddenly Bobby was standing, staring down at Darien. He backed away a couple of steps, struggling to breathe.

"Bobby? What's the matter?"

He barely heard Claire's voice, needing all his self-control not to turn and run. There were only two doors in the room, one led to the outside, the other to the bathroom. When Darien pushed himself up out of the chair, Bobby threw himself through the bathroom door and slammed it shut.

The bright light, reflecting off the mirror and white tiles, hurt his eyes. Bobby grasped the edge of the washbasin and leaned his weight against it, closing his eyes. How could Darien have thought that? That Bobby had known all along and had just left him here... was that how little Darien trusted him?

He could hear their voices in the other room, but not what they were saying. A short, bitter laugh managed to find its way past lips clamped shut against the nausea roiling in his gut. Even now, he'd come in here, rather than leave altogether. Because he couldn't leave Darien alone and unprotected. Yet that was exactly what Darien thought he'd been doing for the last three months.

He heard Darien's quiet knock on the door, and his voice. When he didn't respond Darien opened the door anyway. "Bobby, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything. I just thought..." A hand touched his shoulder, light and fleeting as a puff of air. "I don't know what I thought."

"You thought I'd just let someone take you away from me and not even bother to do anything about it? Is that what you thought?" He was being unfair, and he knew it. It had been three months. Anyone could have lost hope in that time. Even so, it took a huge effort of will for Bobby to open his eyes, straighten and turn to face his lover. "You're sorry now. Do you have any idea what it was like thinking you were dead all those months?"

It only took one step for Darien to be in front of him. Those long arms reached out and dragged him against Darien's chest, and he didn't have the strength to pull away. "I do know Bobby. They told me the same thing. I thought you were dead too."

Bobby forced himself away from Darien's comforting warmth. He looked up into a drawn face that held no hint of fakery. The tightness in his chest wasn't for his own pain alone, now. He reached up to touch Darien's cheek and suddenly they were kissing, with the same desperation he'd felt when Darien first woke.

After a few seconds Bobby eased himself out of Darien's grip, all too aware of Claire's presence in the next room and knowing that if he didn't stop now, they'd be making love on the bathroom floor in a couple of minutes. He smiled up at Darien. "We gotta go."

"Yeah." Darien's voice was lower and huskier than usual. He brushed his fingertips across Bobby's cheek and they came away damp. "I hope you've got something planned so you get to keep me this time."

Bobby moved past him and opened the door. "Bobby Hobbes always has a plan, my friend." A little shove in the small of his back conveyed Darien's opinion of that.

They settled back into the chair. Bobby sat on the arm again and this time Darien didn't argue. "So what's the plan, Bobby?"

"All we know is that the President's being leaned on. He's leaning on the Fat Man, and that's why the CIA got hold of you." Bobby looked into Darien's upturned face and couldn't help smiling a little. "I guess you didn't find out anything while you've been on the inside?"

"Lots of things." Darien looked grim. "Nothing useful, though."

In another minute Bobby was going to kiss him again. He just wasn't going to be able to stop himself. He saw the knowledge of that fact reflected in Darien's eyes. Darien was already lifting a hand to touch him when Claire leaned forward, frowning.

"Darien, let me see your arm?"

Darien's head turned towards her and he held out his right arm. Already one segment of the snake was red. Bobby stared from Darien's wrist to Claire's worried face. "You didn't give him enough counteragent."

She shook her head, denying the accusation in his voice. "I gave him the normal dosage. Have they been experimenting with your dosage, Darien?"

"Not experimenting, exactly." Darien's voice sounded strange.

Bobby laid a hand on his shoulder, remembering how terrified Darien had been before the monitor had given him a sense of security. "What? What have they done to you?"

Darien glanced up and then away again, quickly, but Bobby had seen something in his eyes... fear, or maybe guilt? "They only gave me enough counteragent to last twenty-four hours."

"But that's insane. Why would they do such a thing?" Claire looked from Darien's wrist up to Bobby's face.

"Control." Bobby repressed the urge to curse. "He wouldn't get very far if he needed a shot that often."

"It still doesn't add up. Bobby, with the level of Quicksilver in his blood that would cause, Darien wouldn't be much use as an agent."

She was right. Bobby looked down at Darien, who was staring at his knees. "Darien?"

"They didn't want me as an agent." Darien's voice was low, almost inaudible.

What other use would an agency like that have for a man who could go invisible? Oh God... Darien had been carrying a gun when they found him. Darien always hated carrying a gun. Two and two gave Bobby an answer he didn't want to think about. He stood up, too angry to remain still, but not wanting to give voice to that anger in front of Darien.

"I don't even remember how many I killed. I don't remember their faces. But I do remember enjoying it." Darien glanced at Claire but avoided Bobby's gaze. He sounded scared. "They'd delay the shots till I was close to going crazy then take me out to the target. By the time I got there, I just didn't care."

Claire was staring at Darien, hand to her mouth. Bobby was standing so still he thought he'd lost the ability to move. If he did move, he thought he might just fall into a thousand pieces, like the Quicksilver when it came off Darien. The silence stretched out until it was difficult to imagine anything breaking it.

Finally, Darien looked up at Bobby, his eyes gleaming with unshed tears. "I tried to fight them. I swore I wouldn't do it."

"What did they do, Darien?" Claire asked the question. Bobby couldn't.

"They kept me on the edge of Quicksilver madness for four days." Darien was still looking only at Bobby. "They'd only give me enough counteragent to last two hours. They'd already told me..." his voice choked and he swallowed, "...told me that I'd killed you, Bobby, while I'd been Quicksilver mad. That I'd attacked the Official and Claire... that was why I'd been given to them. I thought I didn't want to live, but after four days... I guess a part of me still did."

"Those bastards! Those fucking bastards..." All the anger that he'd been holding in poured out of him in a explosion of sound and movement. Bobby realised he was pacing back and forth across the small room, wanting desperately to get his hands on at least one of the people who'd used Darien like that.

Darien was still in the chair, looking like he'd lost everything he'd ever cared about. Bobby forced himself to a halt beside the chair. "It wasn't your fault. They made you do it."

"So I was just obeying orders?" Darien forced a smile. "Seems like I've heard that before."

Bobby was becoming increasingly worried by the wretched look on Darien's face. "Darien, with all that Quicksilver in your blood you can't have been thinking straight." He looked at Claire. "Right?"

Claire considered his question for a moment. "Probably not."

Darien unfolded himself from the chair and stood in front of Bobby. "I killed those men. I don't know who they were, I don't even know if they'd done anything wrong. I didn't ask."

"You didn't have a choice. It was you or them." Bobby lifted his hand to touch Darien's chest. He felt the warmth of Darien's body, the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed.

"How many men died so I could live, Bobby?" Tears were trickling down Darien's cheeks now, and his voice was shaking. "I don't even know, and I'm the one who killed them."

He would have killed to keep Darien alive, without hesitation. He would have killed to save Darien from this. Darien might be an ex-con, but Bobby knew him through and through. There wasn't a mean bone in the kid's body, and in some ways Darien was very innocent. He had a conscience, and if it was adaptable as far as other people's property was concerned, when human lives were at stake, Darien had a strong sense of what was wrong and what was right.

It sickened Bobby to think about how that conscience had been abused because of the gland in Darien's head, and he wondered if Darien would ever again be the same easy-going, kind-hearted guy he'd fallen in love with. He grabbed Darien and pulled him into a fierce embrace. After a frozen moment, Darien slumped against him and wrapped his long arms around Bobby's torso. Immediately, Bobby slid one hand into Darien's hair, drawing his head down so he could rest his cheek against it.

"I love you, okay? This isn't gonna change anything between us." Bobby hugged him tighter, as though by doing it he could make Darien believe him.

Too soon, Darien drew back, but he looked a little better. Bobby kissed him once, hard, and let him go. As Darien moved back to the chair, the red flash of the monitor on his wrist reminded Bobby of where this discussion had started.

He caught Claire's eye and gestured toward Darien. "You can fix it, right? Give him another shot?"

"Not right away. I only brought one dose. It should have lasted six days." She lapsed into thought for a moment. "At this rate, provided the production of Quicksilver doesn't increase as the counteragent is depleted... I'd say we have two days, three if we're lucky. It ought to be enough."

Darien shifted restlessly. "As long as I don't have to use the Quicksilver."

He sounded scared, and Bobby didn't blame him. Chances were, he would have to go saran wrap at some point. "How long can he go invisible?"

"Safely?" Claire pursed her lips. "Ten minutes, tops. I can't be sure of anything past that."

"Bobby..." Darien's voice shook, "just keep your gun handy, okay? If it comes to a choice between me and you... just make sure the gland dies too."

"No!" Bobby stood and stared down into Darien's terrified face. He felt sick just thinking about what Darien was asking for. "You can't ask me to do that."

"Please." Darien half rose out of the chair then sank back. "I can't live through that again."

Through that... believing he'd killed his lover. The rage began to rise inside Bobby again and he wished for just one shot at the bastard who'd done this. "It won't happen, okay?" He threw up a hand to stop Darien's response, "but if it does, I'll take care of things, I promise."

And if he had to shoot Darien, then Bobby Hobbes would be dead in the next breath.
.
*

"I don't like this." Darien looked from Claire to Bobby and back again. They were both wearing black; Claire even had a black beanie over her pale hair. They were both carrying guns. He wasn't.

Bobby patted his shoulder. "Come on, buddy. You know we have to do this."

He knew. He still didn't like it. They'd had to come back to the Centre to get the counteragent. Bobby had also insisted that without some kind of damaging information, the Official would be forced to send Darien right back to the CIA, and Darien was inclined to agree with him. Then Claire had insisted that she get copies of his medical records so she could find a way to get him back to normal Quicksilver levels.

So, they had to be here. He couldn't do it on his own. Claire and Bobby couldn't get past the surveillance cameras in the hallways. At least, not without his help. Darien too a deep breath and put a hand on each of his companions' shoulders. It took a little more effort to Quicksilver all three of them, but he managed it. He tried not to think about the monitor. After only six hours, two of the segments had turned red.

They walked in silence down to the lab. The lights were still on and the door ajar, even though it was well after midnight. Aw, crap… Bailey was in there. They held a whispered conference, then Darien and Bobby slipped through the door and flanked Bailey as he bent over the bench typing into his laptop. They de-silvered together, as slick as if they'd practiced it and Bobby pointed his gun at Bailey's side.

"Darien, where have you…" Bailey registered Bobby standing on his other side. "Oh."

It was obvious that he'd recognised Bobby, presumably from a photo, and he didn't seem in the least bit surprised to find him alive.

"You've never met my partner." Darien smiled tightly. "Maybe because he's dead?"

Bailey had the grace to look repentant. "Darien, I'm sorry. But there was no way I could tell you the truth. If Carter had found out…"

Help came from an unexpected source. "He may be right Darien." Claire stepped into the room, pulling off her beanie as she did. "If this Carter is the mastermind behind your transfer, then there's no telling what might have happened."

Bailey smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you at last." He held out a hand then obviously thought better of it and allowed it to drop to his side. "I've read all your notes on the Quicksilver project."

"Well, I'm rather looking forward to reading yours." Claire sounded grim. "How can you justify…"

"Please, I didn't enjoy having to do what I did, but it was better than allowing Carter to set one of his cronies onto Darien." Bailey glanced apologetically at Darien. "Mr Borden demanded that I be assigned to you as your Keeper. I did my best to protect you."

Bobby was muttering under his breath, but it was obvious that even he accepted Bailey's explanation. Darien shrugged. "Okay, I'll buy that there wasn't a lot you could do to stop Carter. It doesn't matter. I'm going, and I'm not coming back."

"But first we need more counteragent." Claire inclined her head towards the refrigerator. "How much do you have there?"

"Almost a month's supply." Bailey saw her surprise and grinned. "I've found a way to prevent it degenerating."

"Show me." Claire stepped past Darien and Bobby and the two of them peered at the laptop.

Bobby rolled his eyes and pulled Darien to one side. "I'll keep an eye on these two, you go check out Carter's office."

A quick touch on Bobby's arm was all the acknowledgment Darien gave. He headed for the door, Quicksilvering as he went. It only took a couple of minutes to reach Carter's office and he met nobody on the way. Just in case the office was under surveillance, Darien remained invisible, trying to ignore the feeling that the Quicksilver was building in his bloodstream. He should have plenty of time.

Not much to his surprise, a quick survey of the desk drawers yielded nothing. Darien's instincts told him that the kind of information that could be used to blackmail a president was not likely to be so easy to find. Still, it would be foolish to overlook the obvious; Carter was certainly devious enough to hide his secrets in plain view.

Plain view… Darien looked up at the crest on the wall. It was certainly obvious enough that few people would think of hiding anything there; but Carter wasn't just anybody. He ran his fingers around the edge of the crest, and… yes! He released the hidden catch and swung the plaque out. There was a small safe behind it, set into the wall. Small, but so high-tech that Darien had a moment's doubt. If only he had his old toolkit. Well, there was no point worrying over things he couldn't change; the gland had taught him that.

He'd just cracked the door of the safe when a twinge in the back of his head warned him that he'd been invisible too long. He let the Quicksilver drop away and reached for the phone on Carter's desk. Too late now to worry about surveillance. He dialled the extension for the lab.

"Laboratory." Bailey's voice sounded reassuringly normal.

"It's Fawkes. I need the counteragent." Darien gasped as a much stronger jolt of pain hit him. "Quickly."

He dropped the phone and went back to the safe, hoping to distract his attention from the growing madness. It was like an insidious whisper in his head, growing rapidly stronger. The next warning sent agony lancing through him. He dropped to the floor, curling into a ball. He had to fight this… help was on its way, he just had to hold on.

"Darien?"

Oh God, no… not Bobby… Darien dragged himself upright, holding desperately to his sanity and the desk. He could feel the madness settling over him like a shroud. . "Bobby. Stay away."

"I got the counteragent Darien." Bobby lifted the syringe. "I can help you. Just hold on."

"Why should I?" He felt the pressure in his head recede a little. "Bobby, get away!"

"I can't do that Darien." Bobby moved cautiously toward him. "Just keep it together, Fawkes. You can do it."

He couldn't. As Bobby took another step into the room Darien launched himself towards Bobby, hands closing around his throat. A last flicker of sanity made him loosen his grip for a moment, then his hands tightened as the madness took him.

*

"Darien? Come on big guy."

Bobby's voice… it was the sweetest sound Darien thought he'd ever heard. Somehow Bobby must have given him the shot. He turned his head in the direction of the sound and opened his eyes. Bobby smiled down at him, but it seemed forced.

"Bobby..." his voice was little more than a harsh croak. He swallowed and tried again. "Bobby, what happened? I was strangling you and then…"

An arm under his shoulders helped him sit up. "Claire got the shot into you. She was right behind me."

He had the feeling Bobby wasn't telling him everything, but he wasn't inclined to question him right now. "I got the safe open. Is it in there?"

"Oh, I think so." Claire was leafing through a folder. "I'd say we have everything we need, now."

"Good. Let's get outta here." Bobby took Darien's hand and pulled him to his feet. "You up for some more Quicksilvering?"

Darien shuddered, but there was no real alternative, he supposed. "What about Bailey?"

"Don't worry about him." Bobby started dragging him towards the door. Claire was close behind them.

There was something… a shadow in the corner of the room that hadn't been there before. Darien stopped in his tracks "Wait. What's that?"

"Nothing. Come on Darien." Bobby tugged at his arm impatiently.

Claire pushed at him from behind. "We don't have a lot of time."

"No." Darien slipped from between the two of them and walked over to the shadow. It was a body. He knelt, turning it over. The body tumbled onto its back, but the angle of the head and neck were all wrong and he couldn't see the face. When he moved the head it felt loose, unconnected. It was Bailey. "Oh no…"

"He came up with us to help." Claire's voice, but Darien was sure that it was Bobby's hand touching his shoulder. "There was a struggle…"

"I killed him." Darien stood and looked down at Bailey. As much as he'd resented Bailey, the man had tried to help him as much as he could.

"The gland killed him, Darien, not you." Bobby touched his shoulder again. "We need to get out of here now."

"Yeah." Darien turned away. He never wanted to see this room again,

*

Three a.m. Bobby ignored tired gritty eyes and an aching throat and tightened his hands on the steering wheel. They were halfway to Baltimore. It wasn't the best solution, but they'd had to get out of DC and they sure as Hell couldn't fly. By morning the CIA would be all over the airports.

He'd pretty much expected this, and they'd brought everything to the Centre in the trunk of the hired car. That was going to be the next problem. Claire had paid for the car with her credit card, and Bobby wasn't prepared to bet that it hadn't been traced. So... ditch the car, find a motel to stay in for what was left of the night, and take a cab to the airport in the morning.

Claire was dozing in the front seat. Bobby glanced in the mirror and saw that Darien was still curled up asleep in the back. Good. He was worried about Darien… not only his health, but his state of mind seemed pretty fragile, and in spite of Claire's seeming certainty that she could fix things, Bobby wasn't so sure. God knew the shrinks he'd seen had only been able to help so much.

He finally pulled over a block away from a small motel he'd used once, years ago. It wasn't ideal, but Darien was still sleeping and both he and Claire were exhausted. They checked in at the office, and Bobby paid in cash, spinning a story about a late night breakdown to the mildly suspicious desk clerk. The room was pretty much what he expected, but at least it had two double beds that seemed comfortable enough when he bounced on the edges. He chose one and tossed his suitcase into the middle of it.

"I'm gonna have a shower. Anybody else?" He hadn't meant to make it sound so ambiguous, but Darien grinned and Claire laughed, then asked if she could brush her teeth first. "Hey. What did I say?"

When Claire came out, he made no objection when Darien came with him, though it didn't make it any easier for him to relieve himself first, knowing that Darien was undressing behind him. By the time he'd finished, Darien was already in the shower. He shed his clothes rapidly and stepped into the shower and Darien's embrace.

It was a damn good shower, plenty of hot water and with enough room for both of them to be comfortable. Bobby groaned as the hot water poured over him. Then his mouth was covered by Darien's. He leaned into Darien as they kissed, happy just to be so close to him. Darien's tongue made slow, sensuous love to his mouth, then withdrew. Before Bobby could object, Darien bent his head and began a slow trail of kisses across Bobby's cheek and down to his throat.

Oh yeah... Bobby tilted his head so that Darien could reach that little spot... ohhh... that one... he moaned happily. Abruptly, the kisses stopped.

"Hey!" Bobby's protest died as he saw Darien's face. "What's wrong, Darien?"

"Your throat... oh God, I did that." Darien brushed his fingers over the bruises on Bobby's throat.

He'd almost forgotten about them. Too much else going on. "Don't worry about it, kid."

"Don't worry!" Darien stared at him incredulously. "I almost..."

Bobby put a hand over his mouth. "No point going over old stuff." He smiled seductively and tilted his head, pointing to his neck. "I know a way you can make it up to me."

Darien couldn't quite stop himself from giving a reluctant smile, and Bobby grinned. "Make it up to me, Darien."

It seemed like Darien was going to pull out all the stops to do as Bobby has asked. That was okay, if it made him feel better. Bobby tanged his fingers in Darien's hair and provided a little guidance until Darien's head moved lower, over his shoulder and down to his nipples. With a tired sigh he leaned back against the shower wall, enjoying the swirl of Darien's tongue over his chest and nipples and, as Darien moved lower still, the hot needles of water hitting his skin.

By the time Darien was kneeling in front of him, Bobby was well and truly in heaven. All he needed was Darien's mouth on his cock, and life would be perfect. It wasn't quite happening that way. Darien's hands rested on his thighs and Darien's mouth was just about everywhere except for the one place Bobby really wanted it.

He could have done something about it, of course, but Bobby decided to let things take their natural course. He was tired, and not yet completely hard, so there was no real hurry, and the feel of the water running it hot rivulets over his body was pretty damn wonderful all on its own. Eventually Darien sat back on his heels and looked up at him. And that was interesting too, because now, one of those runnels of hot water was pouring down his erection and cascading off his cockhead. Darien smiled lazily up at him and leaned forward to catch the water in his mouth.

For a moment Bobby felt like his brain might explode with sheer lust. Or maybe his cock. Whatever. Every so often Darien's tongue would flicker over his cockhead and send a jolt of pleasure through him. It was almost a relief when Darien sucked the tip of his cock into his mouth and went down on him like a two-bit hooker.

God, he was good. Bobby resisted the urge to drive into the tight clutch of Darien's lips and pressed his butt into the shower wall. He grabbed two handfuls of Darien's wet hair and began to guide him, not that Darien really needed any help. Darien's mouth was wonderful, hot and wet as the shower, endlessly welcoming. Bobby groaned, trying not to think about how long it had been since Darien had done this for him. There was only one thing he needed more than this. Then a trickle of water ran into Darien's nose and his lover barely released him in time before he broke into a fit of sneezing.

"Hey, careful there." Bobby grinned. "You really don't want to break anything."

"Sure don't." Darien eased back until he was sitting, leaning back against the opposite wall of the shower. One hand dropped between his splayed legs and began lazily stroking his cock.

He knew how that turned Bobby on... with a soft growl, Bobby pushed himself away from the wall and leaned over his seated lover. His cock brushed against Darien's cheek, and Darien lost no time in guiding it back into his mouth. Bobby rocked forward, sliding deep and then pulling back until only his cockhead remained, caught between Darien's lips. Did it again, nice and slow.

After a while he forgot he wanted to take it easy and was pumping into Darien's mouth, his cock throbbing, thighs aching with the effort it took not to lose control completely. He could see the swift movement of Darien's hand on his cock, and the tremors running through the long, lean body. With an effort that hurt, Bobby pulled back and dropped to his knees.

"Don't come." He kissed Darien hungrily, tasting himself in Darien's mouth. "Not yet."

Darien gulped, and closed his eyes. "Okay." He sounded like he'd run a mile.

"Good." Bobby pushed Darien's legs further apart and gently released the grip Darien had on his cock. "I want you so bad, partner..."

That word alway drove Darien crazy for some reason, when Bobby used it during lovemaking. "Ohhh... fuuck...."

"That's pretty much what I was thinking." Bobby grinned as Darien's eyes flew open. "That okay with you, partner?"

"Uh huh." Darien nodded, reduced to speechlessness now. He reached for Bobby and pulled him closer.

"Hold on..." Bobby positioned himself astride Darien's hips and slowly lowered himself as Darien held his cock steady. "Oh, yeah..."

That first blunt pressure always felt incredible. Bobby pushed down until he was sitting in Darien's lap. His lips were on a level with the hollow at the base of Darien's throat and he leaned forward to lap at the tiny drops of sweat mingled with water that had collected there. Darien's hands stroked down his back, over his butt, soothing and arousing at the same time.

They rested like that for a moment, gathering themselves for what would be the climax of their lovemaking. Bobby could feel the heavy throb of Darien's cock inside him, matching the pulses that beat within his own body. They weren't going to have long.

Darien moaned, and Bobby kissed the side of his throat. "Ready?"

"Yeah." The large hands moved restlessly over his hips. "Bobby..."

"It's okay. Stay with me, kid." Bobby lifted himself slightly, rising along the length of Darien's cock, then pressed back down again, slowly the first couple of times, until they'd got the mechanics sorted out, then faster, deeper, responding to the insistent demands of their bodies.

"Oh! Oh God..." Darien's eyes were clenched shut, his mouth open in a long, wordless cry as Bobby felt his cock pulse sharply, inside him.

It wasn't quite enough to trigger Bobby's climax, and he groaned in disappointment. But moments later he felt Darien's hand close around his cock, and that, with the fullness inside him was enough. Long, intense shudders racked his body as Darien held him close. When it ended he slumped, exhausted, against his lover's body.

The water was distinctly cooler when they finally stirred. Bobby managed to lever himself upright, and he held down a hand to help Darien up off the tiles. They clung to each other for a moment, wobbly-legged and dizzy, then Bobby gently detached himself and reached for a wash cloth. They washed each other down, stumbled out of the shower and dried themselves off, all in an easy silence.

Luckily, Bobby had brought plenty of spare underwear. They could hardly sleep naked with Claire in the same room, and Darien's few belongings had been left behind in Washington. He looked good in the soft, clinging shorts and the T-shirt that barely reached his waist. Bobby made a mental note to make Darien wear his stuff more often.

*

Later, much later, as he lay in the double bed, holding Darien in his arms, Bobby wondered whether they should risk moving in together. He was under no illusions that the Fat Man would allow them to stay together as partners if he ever found out they were lovers, but if they got a two roomed apartment... and if Claire and Eberts could be convinced to help out... just maybe it would work. He never wanted to let Darien out of his sight again.

Maybe he could make it a security issue. After what had happened in DC... it might work. Bobby yawned and blinked himself awake. They ought to be pretty safe here, but he wasn't about to take chances. He could sleep on the plane and by the time they were in San Diego, he'd be just fine.

Darien stirred in his arms and half woke, muttering under his breath. Bobby felt the brush of lips against his throat and smiled.

"Bobby?"

He tightened his hold a little. "I'm here, kid. You okay?"

"Mmn..." Another kiss, then Darien raised his head, still looking half asleep. He hitched himself up a little and kissed Bobby on the lips.

Bobby rolled them both onto their sides and kissed him back. The next few minutes were spent in exchanging kisses, sweet and comforting, like being wrapped up all cosy and warm on a cold winter's night. Darien's hands began to wander, aimlessly at first, and then with more purpose. When one of them reached his groin, Bobby clamped his fingers round Darien's wrist.

"Aw... come on, Bobby. You know you want to..." Darien's voice was soft and seductive.

Bobby caught hold of his other hand, which was obviously bound on the same mission. "Claire's sharing the room, remember?"

Darien chuckled huskily. "So? She wouldn't mind watching, if she were awake."

Another chuckle, this one lighter and higher in pitch came from the other bed. Darien's eyes widened and it was all Bobby could do not to choke. Nobody said a word and after a moment Darien relaxed into his arms again and was immediately asleep. Bobby fingered his hopefully stirring cock and sighed. The clock said it was just after four a.m. but Bobby suspected it was going to be a long night.

*

Nothing had changed. He'd been to Hell and back, and nothing had changed. Darien sat slumped in the same chair he always used and stared at the familiar crest of the Department of Fish and Game, and at the even more familiar faces of the Official and Eberts. How could nothing have changed?

He'd tuned out what Claire was saying about the things the CIA had done to him. Those wounds were far too raw for him to want to prod at them that way. She'd already told him what had happened, medically. His body had adjusted to having a higher level of Quicksilver in his blood, so when she gave him the proper dosage of counteragent the gland went into overtime to produce more. She was pretty sure she'd be able to get him back to normal, and that was all he cared about.

Well, that, and one other thing... he glanced over at Bobby. He wondered if it could possibly work. The Fat Man had been pretty good to Bobby, he supposed; keeping him on when Bobby had been a basket case. But what Bobby said, or wanted, didn't seem to count for much in this place, and Darien was hardly in a position to make demands. He'd be lucky not to get sent straight back to the CIA.

"Look, this is all very well, but human rights abuses aren't going to cut much ice." The Official cut across Claire's indignant voice. "We're talking about the CIA. That kind of thing is SOP for them."

"Indeed." Eberts stepped smoothly into the conversational gap. "I recall an ugly incident when..."

The Fat Man flashed him an irritated glance. "Thank you, Eberts."

"How about setting up a... shall we say, high ranking politician with a honey trap and then using it to blackmail him?" Bobby produced a folder, apparently out of thin air, and passed it to the Official.

He took it and flicked through the contents, then looked up again at Bobby. "Where did you get this?"

"Oh, I have my sources." Darien exchanged a glance with Bobby, who continued smoothly. "I think that oughta be worth something, don't you? Some kind of consideration? Maybe a pay rise?"

The Fat Man ignored the remark about a pay rise with the ease of long practice. Darien wondered whether Bobby even really meant it any more. It had probably just become a habit. He watched as the Official flipped over a couple of pages and lifted out a set of negatives. "It might be worth keeping you on. You haven't exactly been pulling your weight around here recently."

It was time for Darien to get involved. "What about me? Bobby wouldn't have found that stuff if he hadn't come looking for me. Besides, I figure you owe me for handing me over to those bastards."

The Official closed the folder and looked straight at Darien. "This information should give me the leverage to keep you here. Perhaps you should be satisfied with that." The Official's voice was complacent. "I told you often enough that you were better off here than you would be with other agencies. Now maybe you'll believe me."

"All right. Say I do believe you." Darien fought to keep a lid on his anger. "I still want to make some changes."

The Fat Man looked anything but encouraging. "Go on."

"It's not much, and it won't cost you anything." Darien hesitated. This was the crucial stuff. He just hoped it all went to plan. "I want a bodyguard. Day and night, twenty-four hours. Bobby said he'd do it. We'd just have to move in together." So far, so good. The Official was non-committal, but he'd never expected enthusiasm. "And I want my own supply of counteragent. I want Bobby to be able to give it to me. When we're out in the field, there's gonna be situations where Claire won't be able to get to me in time. I want Bobby to have some counteragent with him."

That had the Official frowning. The counteragent was expensive and Darien knew he liked to keep a tight rein on it. The sound of Claire clearing her throat made Darien turn his head.

"I think he's right. After all, we invested seventeen million dollars in the gland, and it would be a shame to waste it, for the lack of a little counteragent." She smiled at Darien. "It's good to have you back, mate."

"Thanks." His voice was dry. They'd decided that Claire had never been involved with his return from Washington. Officially, she'd been sick and was surprised as anyone at his return. Eberts had also apparently forgotten his conversation with Bobby. Darien was pretty sure there was something going on there that Bobby wasn't telling him about, but whenever he asked Bobby just laughed and assured him that he really didn't want to know. "So, how about it, boss?"

"All right." The Official sounded reluctant. Well, he wasn't used to making concessions to his subordinates. Before anyone could get too excited, he held up a hand. "I'll agree provisionally. Any trouble out of you..." he fixed a warning stare on Darien, "and I'll pull those privileges so fast it'll make you head spin."

"Sure, boss." Darien rose to his feet. Time to get out before the Fat Man changed his mind. "Appreciate it." He followed Bobby out into the hallway and frowned at him as the door closed. "Did you have to bring up the pay rise? You know he's never going to agree to it. He won't even give you a calling card."

"I figure he expects it now." Bobby tapped the side of his nose. "And it gives him something he can say no to."

"Yeah?" Darien flung an arm across his shoulders and steered him down the hallway. "That's pretty smart, Bobby. Sneaky. I like that."

"There. You see? You should never underestimate Bobby Hobbes, my friend."

He dropped a kiss on the top of Bobby's head and tightened his grip. "Oh, I won't. Hey, have you ever seen that movie 'The Bodyguard'?"

For once Bobby didn't object to his public display of affection. "Seen it. Cried at it."

"No!" Darien was impressed. "You cried? Really?"

"A strong man is not afraid to cry, Fawkes."

"Is that a quote?"

"Nah. One of my shrinks told me that. Number four... or maybe it was number six..."

Darien laughed. It was good to be home at last.