Sooner Or Later.
Rating:R
Author:suzyh
Disclaimer: I don't own them blah, blah.
Chapter One.
Darien looked at his wife. Annie was hiding her eyes and wincing at the television screen. Screams came from the movie they were watching and Annie hid even more. Darien grinned. He leant over and booed in her ear. Annie screamed and jumped up, falling over the blanket that had fallen round their feet. She landed in a heap on the floor. Darien was shaking with laughter as Annie picked herself up and launched herself at him.
"You pig!!! I'm gonna get you now!"
"Give it your best try Titch."
Darien turned invisible and moved out of reach.
"Hey! No fair."
Annie held her hands in front of her and started to punch the air. Darien danced around her swatting her bottom and pulling her hair. She got madder and madder until he couldn't stop laughing. She zeroed in on the sound and knocked Darien over, she was just tickling him on the ribs when the phone rang. She sat on his chest refusing to let him up until he apologised. Darien simply pulled her off him, giving her a swift kiss as he answered the telephone.
Annie lay where she was on the floor. A mischievious grin came across her face as she heard Darien talking. She got up and slowly swayed in front of him taking her top off and throwing it at his head. Darien flashed a smile but shook his head at her. Annie winked and removed her sweatpants tossing them into the opposite corner of the room. Darien was having a hard time keeping his concentration and frowned at her.
" Yes, I'm here Eberts, ummm, you need me now?"
Annie slipped her hand under his t-shirt and rubbed his chest scraping her nails over his nipples. Darien jerked up out of his seat and tried to move away from her hands. Annie was laughing as she chased him trying to grope Darien's ass and other interesting parts of his body. Finally, she grabbed the phone.
" Eberts? This is Annie. Tell the Official that Darien will be right there. But first, we are going to have sex. Bye."
Darien choked and gaped at Annie. Annie looked amused.
"Do you think he'll repeat that word for word?"
Darien shook his head and scooped Annie into a firemans lift, dropping her on the bed and kissing her hungrily. Any remaining clothes were quickly divested as Annie's world turned grey.
Across town, Bobby and Claire were in the middle of a huge fight. Eberts had rung them too and Claire was not amused.
"It's the weekend, you think they could leave us alone."
" Claire, it's business."
"Why do you have to go? I'm almost due."
"Because the Fatman says so."
"Oh, perfectly logical then."
"Don't start with me."
"Well, who's going to look after me?"
"Claire..."
"No, Bobby, I mean it, if you go don't expect any dinner."
Claire stomped off upstairs leaving Bobby to make the call.
Annie was watching Darien pack a small bag. He was going for three days and Annie was dying to know what the mission was about. She had secretly enjoyed every mission she had been on even though they had been dangerous. Darien however, was remaining tight lipped about the whole thing. There was a knock on the door and Bobby walked in.
"Bobby? You have a key you know, why do you insist on picking my lock all the time?"
"Keeps me in practice Gland Boy. You ready?"
Annie slid up to Bobby and slipped her arm in his. Bobby raised an eyebrow in amusement and waited for the question he knew was coming.
"Sooo, Super Agent, what's this one all about?"
"Sorry Halfpint, need to know."
"I need to know. Tell me."
Bobby shook his head and detached himself. Annie narrowed her eyes and felt her temper flare.
"Fine! Don't tell me, it's not as if I really understand this spy thing anyway. I'm only good enough to fill in for someone or get shot."
Annie looked straight at Bobby for the last part. A wounded expression appeared on Bobby's face and she knew that she'd scored a direct hit with that one. Darien cleared his throat and glared at his wife.
"That was unfair Annie and you know it."
Annie whirled round, really mad now. She shook with rage and jabbed a finger at Darien.
"You're just as bad! I'm only here so you can get your kicks on a regular basis, we all know that the Official will get rid of me when I've served my purpose. Tell me dear? What will you do when Claire gets the gland out of your head and you can move on with your life?"
Darien went white around the mouth and his lip thinned.
"I am not going to do this with you now. You're being unreasonable, silly and I don't have time for it. I'll see you in three days."
Darien grabbed his bag and walked out with Bobby slamming the door behind him. Annie grabbed the nearest thing to hand and hurled it at the door.
Two days into the mission and Darien was still simmering. He couldn't believe that Annie had said what she did, let alone mean it. Bobby had stayed quiet about the whole thing, he still felt guilty about shooting her. Annie meant the world to him, she was the little sister that he wished he'd had. Darien had flatly refused to contact Annie and it bothered Bobby. He felt a sense of panic when he realised that this was a serious situation that wouldn't be resolved easily.
"Why don't you call her Fawkes?"
"No way, she started it. Besides, I can't believe she said that to you."
"She was right partner, Annie is used when it suits the Agency, I'm suprised she's put up with it for so long. The Official could do a lot worse than hire her on a regular basis, she's better than some agents I know. Besides, this situation was bound to happen sooner or later."
Darien digested this bit of information but still he was angry at Annie. Bobby dropped the subject and went back to watching the target.
"Okay, Fawkes, do your thing and get in and out before they work out something's wrong. Remember, we just want the red disk and nothing else."
Darien slid out the van and slowly went invisible, doing one body part at a time.
"Show off." Bobby muttered, as he waited for his partner to return. Alarms went off five minutes later, Bobby drew his gun and prepared to back Darien up. Wild shouts echoed around the complex Darien had snuck into, Golda's door swung open and Fawkes reappeared.
"Let's get out of here!"
Bobby nodded and the van sped off at speed. Darien turned to Bobby.
"They had thermal sensors, I only got passed the first office when they went off. I swear, I'm the worst kept secret in the spy industry."
"They might just have had good security."
"Hobbes. They yelled out my name. Why didn't Eberts know about the sensors? It might have been useful information."
Bobby looked grim. Good point to bring up. He intended to ask Eberts and The Official the same question when they got back.
"So, you're telling me you didn't get the disk?"
"That's right. Never got to the office."
"Hmmm. Thank you gentlemen. You can go now."
Bobby and Darien blinked at the Official and started to speak together.
"Go? I don't think so."
"What's going on chief? How did they know Fawkes was there?"
The Official raised his hand for silence. He stood up and circled his desk.
"We had information that hinted that The Bryant Company was actually a member of Chrysalis. We had to check their security level, so we put word out that we were interested in a certain disk. This proves that they knew about you Fawkes and confirms the information we received."
"So you let me go in there knowing they could detect me?"
The Official smiled. Darien threw him a furious look and banged out of the room. Bobby glared at Eberts who blandly looked back at him. The Official sat back down in his seat and started to write. Bobby knew he was dismissed.
Annie was clearing out the fridge. Darien hadn't called her and she was madder than hell. Him and his stupid job. What was so secret anyway? She already knew about the gland, the invisibility and the QSM. She even knew about Arnaud. It wasn't if she was going to tell anybody for God's sake. She banged about as she threw food out and did a general tidy up. She heard the door open and Darien poked his head round the door of the fridge. They exchanged glares and Darien went to unpack his bag. Annie steamed. Well, two could play at this game. She wouldn't say a word until he did.
A silent dinner and the washing up later, Annie was ready to explode. Darien had gone out of his way to be annoying, only taking his plate out and clearing up his stuff. She slammed her glass down onto the table and glowered at him.
"Are you going to talk to me or is that Need To Know?"
Darien ignored her and continued to drink his beer. Annie knocked the can out of his hand, causing it to drop and spill on the floor. Darien drew himself up to his full height and towered over Annie. She didn't even flinch as she glared up at him. Darien went to the fridge and got himself another beer. Annie went to the bedroom and started flinging clothes into a bag. When she was done, She walked to the door and looked back at her husband who was still sitting on the couch wearing a worried but never the less angry expression.
"Where are you going Annie?"
"Oh. So it does speak. What do you care? Sorry Stretch, it's classified."
Darien got up and flashed across the room, barring the door and looking menacing. Annie went to move round him but instead was grabbed by her arms. She wriggled, but he held her firm. Finally, she just settled for giving him a death stare. When he spoke his voice was low.
"You are driving me up the wall Annie. Can't you even try to understand?"
"Understand? I understood when I found out about the gland, I understood when you practically raped me, I even understood when I was kidnapped twice, when I was shot and when I lost my father. Tell me Darien? How much more understanding do I have to be?"
He winced, it did sound bad when she said it like that. Annie went on.
"I even had to endure turning into a mad woman, not to mention losing a baby and having my levels checked like a secondhand car. But this is Okay right? After all, it's for The Agency and the Official. Well, I'm sick of taking the crap Darien, if I can't be told anything after what I've gone through then screw you, the Official and everyone else."
Annie shook Darien off and picked her bag up again.
"Get out of my way."
Darien moved and let her go. Annie looked suprised that he had given up so easily. Tears started to fall as she opened the door. Darien had bowed his head and was staring at the floor. She gave a sob and ran out the door, blindly running down the steps and out into the street. She heard Darien calling after her but she ignored him desperate to get away. In her anger and grief, she ran straight out onto the road into the path of a car. She flew up in the air and landed in a heap on the road.
Chapter Two.
"NO!!"
Darien sprinted to where Annie lay. He gently touched her hair and kissed her mouth. The driver had got out and was in shock. People started to gather at the scene as sirens were heard in the distance. Annie was a nasty grey colour and seemed lifeless. Darien kept saying her name over and over as he rocked her in his arms. The paramedics arrived and went to work on the tiny woman. They got her into the ambulance and raced to the hospital. Annie checked out twice on the way there but she was alive when they wheeled her into the ER.
Darien sat alone in the waiting room. She couldn't die, she couldn't. Without her he'd be lost. Darien cursed himself as a fool and spent ages turning their fight over in his head. By the time Bobby, Claire and the Official arrived he was a wreck. Claire shot off to find out information and the Official sat down beside him.
"Are you alright son?"
Darien shook his head, his eyes red from all his crying. Bobby sat the other side.
"She's tough my friend. She won't give up easily."
Darien looked up. "She can't die Bobby.
Claire came back, panting from being eight months pregnant.
"She's in the OR now. She had broken ribs, a punctured lung and internal bleeding. They're trying to reinflate the lung at the moment. Darien, I'm so sorry, but they are good doctors here and Annie is as tough as old boots."
"I'm going to tell her you said that."
Claire pulled a face at Bobby. They all waited together for three hours. Darien said nothing and the others had little to add to his silence. A doctor came in holding some forms.
"Mr Fawkes?"
Darien stood up. "That's me."
"Your wife is in a critical condition sir. We managed to stop the bleeding and reinflate the lung, but she has lost alot of blood. She's in ICU where she'll stay for now."
"Can I see her?"
"Of course. I need you to sign these forms for insurance first."
"I'll handle that." The Official interrupted. "Give her whatever she needs doctor. Money is no object here."
The doctor nodded and handed the forms over, before leading Darien up to ICU. Darien was stopped before he could enter the room.
"You have to understand Mr Fawkes, your wife may not last the night. With her injuries the first twenty four hours are crucial. Try not to be too alarmed by her appearance."
Annie lay in the bed connected to different machines. She looked tiny and fragile and Darien's heart broke.
"Annie, I'm so sorry baby. Stay with me please? I love you so much."
Darien held her hand and kept kissing it. He stayed, refusing to leave her on her own. Claire and Bobby came and went but he hardly noticed. Annie survived the night and the five days after. Darien had moved into her room only leaving to go to the bathroom. He was reading a magazine that Annie liked out loud when the Official paid them a visit.
"I didn't know you liked women's magazines Fawkes."
"Annie does, she's listening to it."
"Ahh. How is she?"
"Holding her own. No thanks to me."
The Official eyed his agent. Darien had grown thin and he needed a shave, shower and rest. He tapped Darien on the shoulder as he spoke.
"Go home. I'll keep spitfire here company. Before you argue, I'm perfectly prepared to have you removed by force. Besides, Annie will take a bite out of me for letting you stay and her bite is worse than her bark."
"Darien?"
Two heads turned as they heard Annie's voice. Darien raced over and grabbed her hand, while the Official went to find a nurse.
"Annie? I'm here, open your eyes baby please?"
Annie's eyes flicked slightly and she squeezed his hand. Darien broke down and buried his face in her body. He felt a small hand stroking his hair and he looked up. Sleepy eyes stared at him and he smiled for the first time in a week.
Annie made good progress over the next couple of weeks, even managing to insult the Official on a regular basis. Darien had spent most of his time at the hospital until Annie had thrown him out of her room threatening him with all kinds of things. One good thing emerged from the whole experience, Annie and Darien talked about their fight. Annie forgave Darien almost at once, even asking him to forgive her. Darien simply stated that it was forgotten and they should concentrate on now instead of yesterday. Annie had pulled a face at his choice of words and called him a bookworm. Things settled back to normal quickly. Darien was just glad that Annie was alive. The day of her release came and she was waiting for Darien to arrive. The Official popped into her room unannounced.
"Annie. I understand that you are unhappy with the current arrangement about information?"
"Damm right. Who told you? Oh don't tell me, it was that hamster Eberts."
"Your husband actually. I propose a deal. You leave your job at the bakery and come and work for me. As the hamster's assistant."
Annie stared at the Official.
"You know I can't read all that well right? I can only jot down a few easy things to."
"No matter. All you have to do is answer the phone, read some names in an appointment book and generally scare people who you feel are wasting my time."
"Scare people? I can do that."
"Good. In return, you will be privy to all the information regarding The Agency. Deal Mrs Fawkes?"
"Deal, Mr Official."
"Excellent. Eberts will draw up the paperwork. Welcome to The Agency Annie. Oh, and call me Charlie."
The Official patted her arm and left. Annie grinned, wait until she told Darien. Annie's eyes gleamed, scare people eh? Somehow she knew that this was going to be a job she would enjoy.
The End.