Until Next Time...
Author:suzyh
Rating:R Adult situations.
Disclaimer: I don't own these people, just Annie.
Summary: Arnaud is back in town.
It was a bright Saturday morning. Annie and Darien were shopping for Claire and Bobby's baby, which was due in six weeks. Darien was playing with some V-Tech toy with great delight. Annie was looking at more practical things. Her eye fell on a brightly coloured baby blanket with matching sheets and accessories. Perfect. She looked around for the assistant who was watching Darien with disapproval.
"I'll take this matching set, can you gift wrap it?"
Annie had to raise her voice over the whoops and yells that were coming from Darien's general direction. She walked over to him and removed the toy from his grasp. Darien pouted. Annie gave him her best stern look.
"Now, if you don't stop pouting there will be no ice cream."
Darien perked up. "Can I have chocolate?"
"Sure sweetie, now go pay the nice lady."
Darien grinned and went to purchase the items Annie had chosen. She was just double checking that she hadn't missed something when she heard a soft French voice in her ear.
"Well, it seems that Fawkes has excellent taste in women. Tell me my dear, how do you like the quicksilver effect?"
Annie whirled round but was met by empty air. Confused, she wafted her hand in front of her, then side to side. Darien blew on her neck making her jump. He looked at her confused expression.
"Darien? Why did you talk to me in that silly accent?"
Darien blinked. "What accent?"
"French I think. You said you had good taste in women."
"That wasn't me Annie."
"Of course it was you. No-one was there. Get it? No-one was there."
Darien looked grim. So, Arnaud was back was he. He took hold of Annie's arm and pulled her out of the shop. Annie was struggling.
"Hey!! Mind telling me what's going on?" Darien turned her to face him.
"That was Arnaud. He killed my brother, thus keeping this gland in my brain. I hate him more than anything." A thought occured to Darien. "Oh my God." he said softly.
"What?"
"He knows about you. Annie, I've got to keep you safe. You don't know what he's capable of." Darien took hold of her again and headed home.
They had just got through the door when Darien was knocked out by a blow to the back of his head. Annie struggled against the man that held her. She managed to bite his hand and was rewarded by a slap to the face. A sharp pain centered on her neck and she felt herself drift into sleep. Arnaud glared at the man who had slapped Annie. Gently, he lifted her up and carried her out.
Darien came round much later. He groaned, rubbing the back of his head. He staggered to his feet swaying slightly.
"Annie?" Darien scanned the apartment for her. When she didn't answer, Darien fell into full panic mode. He reached for the phone, frantically dialing a number.
"Bobby? Arnaud is back. He's got Annie."
Chapter two
Arnaud gazed at the woman sleeping before him. She really was a beauty. Curly, untamed blonde hair and blue, almost violet eyes. He had wanted her ever since he had seen her at The Hideaway Resort. The bonus being that she was Fawkes wife of course. In Arnaud's deranged mind, he was in love with her. Thwarted by Hobbes and Fawkes on his first attempt to have her, he had obsessed and planned until he found his second chance. Now, as he looked at his prize, Arnaud silently vowed that Fawkes would never take his love away from him again.
Darien was pacing up and down the Officials office. Bobby and a heavily pregnant Claire watched him with worried expressions. He suddenly whirled round and faced everyone.
"I can't believe that you people aren't doing anything."
Bobby placed a hand on Claire's shoulder. He didn't want her upset.
"Calm down Fawkes. When we have some information I'll be the first one in line to help you. Until then, let Eberts do his job with the computer. We'll find her."
Darien released the breath he had been holding. He hoped so.
Annie woke up with a sore head. Okay, big men had knocked out Darien. Another big man had hit her hard. Another man. Tall, lean and blue/green eyes. Who was he? She tried to piece together bits of the puzzle, but came up empty. All she knew was her head hurt, Darien was injured, and she was severely pissed off. Annie scanned the room. It was nice, spacious, air conditioned and it had a view of the pool. Her door opened, and the strange man with the unusual coloured eyes entered the room.
" Ahh you are awake. Good. How do you feel?"
"Screw you. What have you done with Darien?"
"Ahh yes. Your invisible husband. I regret to tell you that he's dead."
"Liar! Darien wouldn't dare die without checking with me first."
" That's as maybe, but I can assure you that he is quite dead."
Annie felt faint. She wrapped her arms around her middle and fought back tears. He was lying. He had to be. The man held up a small jar with something that looked like a white spider with thick legs.
" The gland my dear."
Annie ran to the bathroom and threw up. She sat on the floor and sobbed heart wrenching sobs. The man stood in the doorway watching her.
" You look unwell Mrs Fawkes. I am a doctor would you like me to examine you?"
Annie gave him a look of hate. " What's your name?"
"Arnaud De Theil at your service." He bowed slightly. Annie pointed a finger at him.
" You'll regret the day you ever messed with me or Darien."
Arnaud merely looked amused. She was so spirited. He was going to enjoy breaking that spirit. Annie gestured to the door.
"Get out."
Arnaud bowed again and left her. Annie stared at her wedding ring. Darien dead? Part of her believed Arnaud. The other half refused to give up on Darien. Well, she wasn't going to achieve anything sitting on her ass and crying. She had to think of a way to contact the agency.
Chapter three.
A week passed. Eberts came up with nothing, Hobbesnet came up with even less. Annie had disappeared without trace. Darien grew more and more angry and desperate. He had stopped eating and sleeping properly and the fatigue was beginning to show. Bobby couldn't understand why Arnaud hadn't used Annie as a chip to bargain with. But Arnaud did have a gland of his own, maybe he only saw Fawkes as more of a nuisance than anything else. Bobby thumped his desk in frustration. He decided to check the archives again in case someone had missed something.
Two hours later, Bobby ran into the Officials office brandishing a file. He had checked and rechecked every file concerning Arnaud. He hadn't checked any files regarding disappearances. Bobby had opened the report on their Hideaway Resort mission. A copy of the order book was in it. Against Annie's picture was a name. Dr Halliday. Bobby had felt a twinge begin in his stomach. Dr Halliday was dead, Arnaud had killed him to gain access to Fawkes at Fort Levitt. Was it possible that Arnaud had simply taken Annie because he wanted her? Bobby was prepared to bet his life on it. Arnaud was certainly crazy and twisted enough.
The Official listened to Bobby's case.
"I don't know Hobbes. It sounds pretty thin."
"It's all we've got. Besides, Hobbesnet came up with a Dr Kevin Halliday showing up just across the border. I overlooked it before but now I'm sure that's Arnaud. He popped up just three months ago, chief, he didn't exist until then. I checked. "
The Official thought carefully. Hobbes did have a case, albeit a flimsy one. He decided to go with Bobby's instincts. They were, after all the best in the business.
Bobby knocked on Darien's door loudly. Claire had sent him home to rest and for once Fawkes had done as he was told. Getting no answer, Bobby simply picked the lock and sauntered in. Darien was asleep on the bed. Dark circles were under his eyes and he looked like he could use a decent meal. Bobby sighed as he looked at his partner. Darien was clutching one of Annie's dresses as if he was trying to convince himself that she was there. Bobby was torn between letting him rest and giving him the information. Duty won out and he shook Darien awake.
" Annie?" Darien sounded still half asleep. Bobby waved at him.
" No partner just me."
"Oh. Sorry, having a good dream." Darien rubbed his eyes, he was desperately tired, but all his dreams seemed to be full of Annie. He tended to avoid sleep these days. He regarded the older man in front of him. He spotted the file under Bobby's arm and he felt a flash of hope for the first time in a week.
" Tell me that's a lead."
"It's a lead partner." Bobby grinned broadly. Darien jumped up and started to pull his shoes on. Bobby held up his hand.
"Whoa there chosen one, you aren't going anywhere until I see you eat a full meal my friend."
" No time Bobby...."
"Yes there is. Besides, Claire'll have my balls if she knew that I let you out of here empty."
Bobby went to Darien's kitchen and opened the fridge. He whipped out some eggs, cheese and ham and placed them on the counter. He gave Darien a hard stare.
" Go and grab a shower, you look like shit. I'll whip up two omlettes while your gone and believe me Fawkes, you're gonna eat both of them."
Darien gave him a salute and shuffled off to the bathroom.
"So, Hobbes? Are you sure this is the way?"
"Of course it's the way. You doubting my sense of direction?"
"Yes."
"Okay genius, you navigate."
Bobby threw the map at Darien hitting him on the side of the head. They had been driving almost all afternoon and Darien was getting bored. He glanced at the map. All the street names looked the same to him. He dropped the map on the floor and sighed. Bobby heard the sigh and tried to reassure his friend.
"We'll find her don't worry."
"What if we don't? What if Arnaud has hurt her or worse?"
"Don't think like that. Arnaud went to alot of trouble getting her. I doubt he'll do her any harm."
Darien didn't look convinced. He put his head back on the seat and shut his eyes. He drifted off listening to the rattle of Golda's engine. He woke up when Golda stopped. They had arrived at the hotel that the Official had chosen for them. He got out of the van and stretched. Being cheap, the Official had told them they could drive to Mexico. He could hear Bobby's voice telling someone that he was perfectly entitled to park where he had.
"Come on partner, our palace awaits."
Bobby's face appeared round the corner. For the first time in a week Darien smiled. The smile stayed on when one of Bobby's sources gave them a description of Kevin Halliday and an address.
"Okay, we're in business. We'll head over there first thing tomorrow."
Bobby held out his hand and they low fived each other.
Chapter four
Annie sat by her bed on the floor. Her attempts to find a working phone had failed. The only one she knew of was in Arnaud's office which was kept locked. Over the last week, Arnaud had showered gifts upon her, even supplying a wardrobe of clothes because he said that hers did not do her justice. She hadn't worn a single one, much to Arnaud's amusement. Annie glared at the door. She was free to go where she wished but she was determined to mourn Darien in her room. Arnaud had given her a graphic account of Darien's death. He had found the house they were in but Arnaud had seen Darien when invisible and had shot him, removing the gland as a trophy. Annie sniffed. Where was Bobby? Surely he would find her soon. Maybe Claire had gone into labour or something. Dozens of reasons why no-one had found her raced through her head. The worst being that Bobby was dead too.
Annie had stopped eating the day she had found out about Darien. She didn't sleep either, her dreams were too painful to bear. She had grown tired and irritable. She huffed and curled herself up on the bed. Her mind wandered as she started her favourite fantasy about her, Darien and a deserted beach.
He was smiling at her, the wind ruffling his hair making it look even more unruly. He had just a pair of shorts on and his body looked hard and tanned in the sunshine. She giggled, dancing out of his grasp paddling in the surf enjoying the feel of the water between her toes. She felt herself be lifted into his arms and carried to the beach. They kissed forever, his long nimble fingers skimming up her sides and back down again. Annie moaned in her sleep. Arnaud smiled and continued his caresses. Annie shifted again, totally lost in her dream of Darien. Arnaud fondled her breasts and bent down to kiss each one. Annie arched her back and whispered her encouragement. Arnaud moved to her mouth kissing her lips and coaxing them open with his tongue. Annie wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. Arnaud lightly sucked on her neck and Annie whispered one word.
"Darien."
Arnaud swore loudly and backed off. When he took her it would not be Fawkes name she spoke. He looked at her again. Annie was sleeping peacefully now with a smile on her lips. Arnaud's eyes narrowed. He shook her awake roughly. Annie looked shocked to find him there.
" What are you doing?" she asked her face full of confusion then anger.
" We're leaving tomorrow, I have business abroad. Make sure you are ready by ten at the latest."
"Since when are you the boss of me?" Annie sat up and glared at Arnaud. She was annoyed that he had interrupted her dream. Besides, he had killed Darien so she wasn't inclined to do as he asked. Arnaud stroked a stray hair from her face then marched out of the room. Annie thought for a minute, then got excited as a plan started to form in her brain.
The next morning, Annie was ready in good time. She had spent all night planning her escape. She stood outside waiting for the car to arrive. Arnaud was giving last minute instructions to the housekeeper about shutting up the house so she only had to deal with the driver. Annie motioned to the man to help her with her luggage. As he bent over, Annie kicked him neatly between the legs. She ran quickly to the car hearing Arnaud swear and curse in French. She had no idea how to drive, but she locked the doors, turned the ignition, put the car in drive and hit the gas. She crashed through the gates, ignoring other cars and managed to keep the vehicle as straight as she could.
Arnaud took out a gun and shot the driver. He turned and shot the house keeper. He swore again. Then he composed himself and started to laugh. He might have known that she would try something. He should have been paying more attention. Ahh well, she still thought Fawkes was dead and he had to leave the area quickly. He blew a kiss in the direction of the broken gates.
" Until next time my love."
Arnaud looked at his watch, he had to leave. Without a doubt the Agency or that annoying Hobbes had worked out some connection by now. He had been on borrowed time and now it was up. Arnaud made his way to the second car parked in the garage, his plane awaited him and he had a life to ruin.
Chapter Five
Annie was driving all over the road. Horns went and lights flashed as she swerved about. She passed a familiar looking van coming the opposite way. GOLDA!! She hit the breaks and jumped out. Never minding that she had stopped in the middle of the road, Annie ran to the now stationary vehicle. She expected Bobby to get out, she was wrong. A tall man had come into view, yelling something about crazy women drivers and was she drunk. Annie stopped in her tracks. Darien? She ran full pelt watching as Darien's face turned to joy when he realized who it was. She collided with his chest, breathing in his smell as she clung to him. A pair of arms engulfed her and lifted her off her feet.
Annie was bundled into the back of the van and it sped off. Darien was holding her so tightly she couldn't breathe. She pulled away and smothered him in kisses touching him everywhere.
" He told me you were dead. I believed him, he showed me the gland, Darien is it you?"
Darien answered by kissing her like a drowning man. His hands moved to her hair, her face then down her body making her moan softly. He pushed her to the floor of the van, trying to slip his hand inside her blouse to feel her skin. Annie groaned louder causing Bobby to work out what was happening.
" Hey!! Not in my van. Wait until you're alone. Guys? Stop it! Annie? I need your help here sweetheart, put him down for five seconds."
They broke apart reluctantly. Annie scrambled to the front of Golda to face a grinning Bobby. Darien was behind her grasping her hand as if she was going to disappear again.
" Okay, Halfpint. Is this where you were?"
Annie nodded. Bobby took in the smashed gates and the police cars. He looked at Annie.
"What did you do?"
"What I had to to escape. He said that he loved me and we would never be apart again. Clearly, he was whacko."
Bobby nodded. His mouth thinned when he saw two body bags lying on the front lawn. He wondered if Annie knew what a lucky escape she had had.
Later, Darien and Annie lay in each others arms. Darien nuzzled Annie's hair and kissed her head. They had retired to their room as soon as they had got to the hotel and had made love every way legally possible. Now, five hours later their need hadn't subsided. Annie turned onto her stomach.
"Do I have to go to the police tomorrow? Can't Bobby do it for me?"
Darien shook his head. " Sorry Titch. It's something you have to do. Besides, Bobby had to sweet talk the Inspector to let you go as it was."
Annie pouted. She hated the thought of being away from Darien. She hated the thought of giving a statement even more. Still, at least he was alive. She was anxious to see Claire, she wanted to talk to Bobby, but most of all, she wanted for time to stop right then so she could stay with Darien like this forever. Darien was thinking the same thing. He made a mental note to kill Arnaud next time he showed his litle froggy face. Annie started to kiss his chest lightly, his attention returned. Darien knew that they would have to talk about her captivity at some point but for now he was content just to be with her. For now.
The End.