One Step Ahead
Rating:
Author:suzyh
Disclaimer: I make no money and I have no claim to these characters apart
from Eve.
"Goddammit!"
Bobby was trying to drive and hold Darien upright. Their mission had gone
terribly wrong and Darien had been shot. Blood was oozing out of his right
side and the normally tanned agent was deathly pale. Bobby screeched to a
halt outside the agency building and carried Darien in over his shoulder.
Claire met him at the door and looked horrified.
"Lab 2 now." she said looking at Darien's pale face. Bobby huffed and walked
as quickly as Darien's weight would allow. Darien groaned as Claire probed
the injury. Bobby stood back and watched anxiously. He was kicking himself
for not spotting the rogue shooter, but he was fighting two guys at the time.
Still, he should have had Fawkes' back, he was his partner and he had failed
him. Eberts entered the room.
"Robert? The Official needs you, now please."
"I'm waiting for the all clear here Eberts."
Claire looked up briefly. "It's not as bad as it looks Bobby, he's lost a lot
of blood but his vitals are stable. Go on and I'll let you know as soon as
Darien can see you."
Bobby hesitated but nodded as Claire gave him a small smile, he left the room
as Darien groaned again even louder.
"Hobbes! This is the third time this month that you and Fawkes have been
foiled in your mission. What the hell is going on?"
"I don't know sir, it's like they're one step ahead of us all the time."
Bobby scratched his head and frowned. The Official glared.
"Find out Bobby. I can't afford to have Fawkes out of action. Stark is a
dangerous enemy, we need to be informed about Chrysalis' every move. Now, I
want to know how they manage to anticipate our every move. Eberts? Check the
files. Someone is clearly leaking information. Bobby? Go and see if Eve has
had any unusual requests regarding Stark. Lets find the mole gentlemen."
Bobby rubbed his head again and went towards the archives. He was still
really worried about Darien and the possibility of a leak was making him even
more anxious.
"Hello. What brings you here?" Eve smiled as she saw Bobby.
"Evie, has anyone asked for or taken a file on Crysalis in the last week?"
Eve frowned. "No, I don't think so. Let me check to see if anything's
missing. Why?"
"They were waiting for us Evie. They nailed Fawkes while I was distracted
with two other guys."
Eve's hand went to her mouth. "Is he okay?" Bobby frowned even deeper.
"Claire says he'll make it but I should have protected him, I should have
taken the hit. I let him down."
Eve stroked Bobby's face and held his hand. " Bobby, you can't be everywhere
at once, what are you going to do? Take hits for everyone? Darien's a big boy
and can take care of himself." she said soothingly.
Bobby shook his head. "I let him down." he repeated. Eve squeezed his hand.
"No, you didn't, Darien will tell you himself when he's able."
Bobby looked a little less depressed at this and Eve smiled. "Besides, you
are my complete hero, you always come through for me."
"I've never been anyones hero before." Bobby said softly. Eve kissed him
gently and shooed him away.
"I'll come find you if I discover anything. In the mean time go and see your
partner."
Bobby allowed himself to be pushed up the stairs. Feeling better, he went
towards Lab 2. Darien was sleeping. He still looked pale but he didn't seem
as if he was going to die anytime soon. Bobby was reassured when he saw his
partner. Now all he had to do was find whoever it was who had betrayed them.
Chapter two.
Eberts was busy tapping away on his computer. He was checking and double
checking what he had found. His attention turned to the telephone logs.
Eberts was astounded by what he saw. How was he going to tell Bobby?
Eve hummed to herself as she walked to the Official's office. She had found
nothing out of place except for a restricted file that contained information
about Stark. She was glad her headache was gone, she had been suffering for
about two months on and off. She made a note to go and see Claire as soon as
the meeting was finished. Eve knocked and entered the room. Eberts was
frowning, The Official looked disappointed and Bobby, well, Bobby was sheet
white and his eyes glittered as he looked at her. Eve broke the silence.
"Well, I found nothing except this." she placed the file in front of the
Official. No-one spoke, Eve felt uneasy.
"What's wrong?" she asked. Eberts looked straight at her.
"Is there something you want to tell us Eve?"
"No." Eve shook her head. She turned to Bobby. "What's going on?"
Bobby stood up. " You tell me. I can't believe I fell for you, god, I was a
fool."
"Bobby? What are you talking about?" Eve was looking more and more confused.
"Restricted files were accessed on the computer, the contents were downloaded
and sent to Stark. Your security code accessed the file and your private line
made the call. Plus, we have fingerprint evidence that you used the
computer." The Official stood up to his full height."Eve, I'm disappointed,
first you gain our trust then you abuse it."
Eve shook her head. "Stop, I really have no clue what you're talking about. I
can't even use a computer, Eberts, you know that."
"Oh, come on!" Bobby's voice was raised. " You seduce me to get me involved,
then you steal files. Was telling me you love me part of it too?"
Eve was getting more upset. "Bobby, I do love you, I swear I don't know
what's going on." she rubbed her head, her headache back to full strength.
She swayed slightly as another voice began to whisper in her head. Bobby saw
her sway and moved towards her. Eve began to whimper softly and she shook her
head.
"No, I won't let you. Shut up, leave me alone."
Bobby frowned, this was not acting, something was very wrong. Suddenly
doubtful of the evidence and feeling more than slightly concerned, Bobby
reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. Eve's head
snapped up and she slapped his hand away.
"Back off Yankee or I'll damage you." Eve's voice had dropped an octave and
the southern accent was back. Bobby felt a sense of panic.
"Evie?"
Eve shook her head again and started hitting her forehead.
"No. You're dead, I won't let you hurt them." she raised desperate eyes to
Bobby. "Help me. Bobby, please?"
Eberts rushed over to assist if needed, Bobby held Eve in his arms until she
was still. Eberts went to the door.
"I'll fetch the doctor."
"No need sugar, I'm just fine." her voice came from Bobby's chest. She pulled
away and gave Bobby a seductive smile. "Where's that stud Darien? I have a
need for something sweet like him."
"Eve? What the hell is going on?" The Official barked. Eve gave a slow smile.
"Wrong girl fatboy. Suki's back and this time she's here to stay."
Chapter Three.
Suki uncurled herself from Bobby's arms neatly getting his gun that was
holstered by his side. Backing up towards the door she gestured for Eberts to
get back into the room. Bobby stood with his fists clenched. Suki grinned at
them all.
"Well, I was hoping to get all the information before I was found out. It
seems I underestimated you. Marcia here was so easy to overpower,so I bided
my time until I found a new employer."
"Why?" The Official was red in the face. Suki tilted her head to one side.
"Because I don't like being eliminated. Besides, I'm a good deal more
exciting than Miss Brady. Now, if you'll excuse me boys, I have to meet Mr
Stark to discuss my salary. Yankee? Don't think about following me, I might
just be waiting for you."
Suki backed out of the room and shut the door. Bobby sprang foward to follow
but the Official called him back.
"No Bobby. We don't know what she'll do with Eve if we follow. Eberts? Lock
all the computers down and see what she got. We have to exercise some damage
control."
Bobby looked frantically at the door. He hated feeling helpless and he was
feeling ashamed at believing the worst about Eve, he should have known that
she couldn't do all those things. Disgusted with his lack of trust he went to
see Claire hoping to ease his guilt.
Claire blinked when she heard the story. "I don't believe it. Suki Richmont
does not exist."
"Well, she does in Eve's head." Bobby was pacing up and down wearing a hole
in the floor. "Is Eve gone for good?" he stopped pacing and looked straight
at Claire.
"I don't know, the polypeptide should have done the job, plus her RNA should
have dissolved. I can't understand why this is happening."
"The RNA thing was tested fully right?" Bobby waited confidently for the
answer. Claire hesitated.
"Well, Eve was the third test subject. the first was male and those results
weren't good."
"What happened?" Bobby felt fear creep into his body.
"Umm, he suffered mental trauma, a split personality. But the second female
subject was fine."
Bobby raised an eyebrow and tried to keep his cool. "So. You're telling me
that you let Eve do the experiment knowing there was a risk of a mental
condition?"
Claire bit her lip, "Bobby, the results I saw stated that Eve would be fine.
There must be some other factor that we're not thinking of."
"Yeah, no-one testing the fricking RNA properly." Bobby glared at Claire and
turned to go.
"Bobby... I'm sorry."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm gonna check on Fawkes."
Claire felt terrible as Bobby left the Keep, Claire knew that if anything
happened to Eve Bobby would never forgive her.
Chapter Four.
Suki sat grinning broadly at Stark. Over the last month she had successfully
hacked into the top agencies systems extracting information. With Eve's
password knowledge and Suki's computer skills they had made a formidable
team. Stark handed an envelope to her.
"Congratulations. Here's your payment for serving our company so well.
Anytime you want a job call me. I'll create a position for you."
"Well, aren't you a sweetie. I enjoyed it. Maybe those fools at the Agency
will think twice about crossing me again."
Suki stood and gave Stark a wink. She was looking foward to spending her hard
earned cash. Bobby fleetingly crossed her mind and she felt a surge of
emotion that wasn't hers. "Stay away Marcia, I'm warning you." Suki growled
at herself, she shook her head to clear it and slowly made her way to the
elevators. Eve was becoming a nuisance, always filling her head with guilt,
love and feelings that she wasn't familiar with. Maybe it was time to rid
herself of any distractions. Suki smiled and made her way to the foyer.
Darien shot a worried glance at his partner. Bobby was gaunt and had probably
stopped taking some of his meds. Eve leaving had hit him hard, even the
Official had mentioned that maybe Bobby should take it easy. Hobbes, being
Hobbes had insisted that everything was fine, Darien knew better. Bobby was
hardly eating and his sleep pattern was a joke. Now Bobby was curled up on
his own couch asleep, his breathing deep as the past month caught up with
him. Darien winced as he stretched himself gingerly, he had healed well after
being shot but sometimes it still felt like someone was ramming a poker into
his side. Bobby didn't stir as Darien tucked a blanket around him. Darien was
relieved, his partner needed the rest if he was going to stay on the case. He
made his way to Bobby's bedroom, he wasn't going to leave him so that meant
setting up camp for the night.
Suki snuck into the apartment quietly. She stopped as she heard a soft snore
come from the couch. Investigating the sound she smirked when she saw who it
was.
"Well, don't you look sweet? Good enough to eat. I bet you're missing Marcia
aren't you baby? Let me take care of that need for you."
Suki stroked Bobby's head and straddled him, leaning over and kissing him on
the mouth. Bobby moaned and opened his mouth letting her in. Suki shifted
slightly and moved her hips against his. She felt Bobby's arousal and kissed
him harder. Strong hands tangled through her hair as Bobby arched his body
beneath her. Suki had to admit that he was turning her on and she decided to
take her pleasure from him. She was just unzipping his pants when a hand
gripped hers. Bobby was awake and he didn't look pleased.
"You'd better be Evie or you're in a world of trouble."
Suki smiled and put her gun in his face. "Sorry stud. Just little ole me."
Bobby rolled to the side tipping her off him and jumping to his feet. Suki
hissed at him and bounced back up. Bobby kicked the gun away.
"Just so you know, you aren't a patch on Eve. She's a real woman, not someone
who thinks that she can play at one."
"She's weak. I hate her." Suki felt her temper rise. Bobby shook his head.
"No. She's stronger than you think. She puts up with me and I ain't no
picnic."
"Maybe I should go see Darien then." she attempted to goad Bobby.
"Darien isin't interested either." a lazy voice came from the other side of
the apartment. Darien strolled over so he was behind Bobby. "I think you
should give her back. You've overstayed your welcome."
Suki narrowed her eyes in a challenge. "Make me."
Chapter Five.
Bobby gave a cold smile. "I'll handle this Fawkes. Okay Scarlett, lets see
what you got."
Suki attacked full on. Bobby was knocked back by the force of their bodies
colliding. Darien edged round them trying to find an opening so he could help
his partner. Suki landed a punch to the side of Bobby's head. Bobby hissed
and lifted her off him bodily throwing her to the side. Suki landed heavily
but recovered. Bobby was on his feet and was blocking every blow that she
threw at him. Darien was impressed, Suki was a mean bitch but Bobby was more
than a match for her.
Suki spotted the gun out of the corner of her eye. Catching Bobby with a low
blow to the groin she jumped and rolled scooping the gun up in one smooth
motion. Pointing the weapon at her foe Suki grinned.
"Say goodbye Yankee." Suki fingered the trigger and prepared to fire. She
hestitated slightly and shook her head. "No, not now. Godammit." She dropped
the gun and held her head. Bobby stayed put, wary of any tricks that she may
pull. Suki dropped to her knees and moaned. "I won't let you back, this
body's mine." Her voice was alternating between accents and pitch as the two
women fought for control. Finally, she looked up, her expression anxious but
soft.
"Bobby? You may want to get me to Claire, I can't hold her forever."
Bobby helped her up and turned her to face him. "No tricks Suki, I'm too
tired and pissed to put up with them."
"My god. You look awful, have you been taking your meds? Bobby Hobbes, you
know how important they are, Go and take them right now. I mean it."
Bobby blinked at her. She was standing with her hands on her hips and she
looked really angry. Only Eve gave him that look he was presently getting. He
rested his head against hers suddenly feeling very tired. Eve wrapped her
arms around him and pulled him close. She winced as the headache returned.
"Oh. She's back. Hurry."
Bobby glanced at Darien. He had a goofy smile plastered over his face. Bobby
frowned.
"Fawkes. Stop grinning and help me. Call Claire and tell her we're on our
way."
Eve groaned and held her head. Bobby scooped her into his arms and carried
her out praying they could get to Claire in time.
Chapter Six.
By the time they got to the agency, Suki was back, handcuffed and in full
voice.
"You assholes are in deep shit. Wait til I get free. Little Marcia is gonna
wish she was never born."
Bobby ignored her and wrestled her out of Golda and into the Agency. Darien
followed behind wondering what the hell the Official was going to do with
Suki. The Official elected to subject Suki to the padded room as she was
clearly unstable.
For two hours the small woman switched from one personality to another. Bobby
yearned to hold Eve, but her behaviour was getting more erratic.
"Claire? Help her, she's dying in there." Bobby stormed into the Keep. Claire
was tapping away at her keyboard like a woman possessed. She swung round on
her chair.
"Bobby, you have to face the fact that Eve might not come through this. Her
mental state is going downhill fast and I may not be able to stop Suki from
taking hold."
"You have to help her Claire." Bobby repeated. Claire rubbed her forehead and
made a decision.
"There is an injection that could be given, but it hasn't been fully tested.
I don't know if it would make matters worse."
"Will it get rid of Scarlett?" Bobby demanded.
"Yes. But only temporarily. Eve will have to have the same injection every
month to keep Suki at bay."
"Do it."
"Bobby, I don't know..."
"Do it Claire."
Claire nodded and went to the fridge. Bobby waited as Claire got the syringe
and they headed out together.
Suki was in attendance when Bobby and Claire entered the room. Bobby
approached her whilst Claire held the injection.
"Okay, time for you to go beddybyes." Bobby said.
Suki got to her feet with a look of fear on her face. "No, no. Please, don't
send me back."
Bobby kept walking until they were backed up in a corner. Suki was breathing
heavily and her eyes were wide. Bobby grabbed her arms and pushed her face
down on the floor. Suki let out a scream of panic. Bobby held her firm as
Claire injected the fluid into her neck. Suki was crying and pleading.
"Please, I'll be good. Let me stay. Please...please...ple.." Her eyes shut
and she passed out. Claire looked upset and even Bobby looked shaken. Neither
said a word as Eve was carried to the Keep.
Three days later, Claire was putting the finishing touches to Eve's tattoo.
"There." said Claire proudly. "Now, when the lilac flowers turn deep purple
it's time for another poly shot."
Bobby peered at the design. It was a twist of Tiny lilac flowers that went
around Eve's wrist. It reminded him of a flower bracelet that his mom had
once worn. Eve wrinkled her nose up.
"I still don't know why I have to have this."
Claire sighed. "Eve. The RNA enbedded itself into your memories. Suki is a
part of you. The memories and emotions are linked. So, the greater your level
of emotion, the better chance Suki has of taking control. The poly shot
subdues her and helps keep you with us. The tattoo monitors the level of
effectiveness that the poly shot has left. Once a month should do the trick."
Bobby put his arm around Eve. "I think it's kinda pretty. Suits you." He
hadn't let her out of his sight since she had woken up. Luckily, Eve didn't
seem to mind, they had spent the previous day in bed proving how much they
had missed each other and Bobby was back on his meds.
Eve looked at Claire. "How do you know about the RNA? Are you sure she won't
come back?"
"I managed to get hold of the first test subject's file. His split
personality was the RNA just like it was in you. They witheld that
information from me Eve. I wouldn't have let you do the experiment if I had
known. As for Miss Richmont. Keep the shots up and she'll just be a memory."
Eve nodded. The tattoo wasn't that bad and she hated the thought of hurting
Bobby and Darien again. She stood up.
"Well, I'd better get back to work and try to repair the damage. That's if
Eberts will ever let me back into the archives."
Bobby sniggered. Eve had a fight on her hands there. Eberts had relished the
chance to be in charge of those files again. He took Eve's hand and walked
with her to the archives.
"Bobby? Help me. Eberts has a Hitler complex about this room."
"Fear not my love. Bobby'll protect you." Bobby grinned and squared his
shoulders. "Any problems and I'll mix up his paperclip collection."
Eve giggled. "My hero." She started sorting through the papers on her desk
and Bobby silently swore that that was something he would always be.
The end.
Probable Cause.
Rating:
Author:suzyh
Disclaimer: I make no money, I don't own the guys. Only Eve.
Bobby was wound up like a spring. His eyes darted nervously about the room.
He had a few minutes maybe less until his torturer returned. Sweat broke out
on his forehead and he wondered for the hundredth time why Fawkes had left
him to his fate. Even Eve had turned her back on him, traitors, all of them.
Footsteps sounded down the hall. The hairs on Bobby's neck stood up. This was
it, he was back and Bobby hadn't even begun to start the task he had been
set. The doorknob rattled, the door swung open and a figure loomed in the
doorway.
"Well, I hope you're feeling more cooperative now."
Bobby glared and made no answer. The man in front of him sighed.
"I hoped it wouldn't come to this Robert. It seems we now have to do this the
hard way."
Darien and Eve were just coming back from lunch. The Official had announced
that today was filing day at the Agency. Darien had immediately got dibs on
Eve leaving Bobby with Eberts. Darien had spent an enjoyable morning in the
archives discussing QSM, Suki and having a tattoo. Since the whole RNA
incident, Eve and Darien had become very close spending a lot of quality time
together. Bobby understood the closeness, after all, they both had the Jekyl
and Hyde syndrome, both dependant on a shot to keep the demons at bay. He had
contained his jealousy much to Darien and Eve's relief.
They were passing the main filing room when they heard raised voices.
"No way Eberts. I am not gonna do that."
"Robert. It's just forms, I don't understand you're reluctance. I do this
every day."
"Yeah, because it's your life, I have more to offer than this, EBERTS."
Eve sighed. "Oh dear, I knew it was a mistake to let those two be together.
We'd better help Albert before Bobby hurts him."
Darien looked amused. "Don't sweat it Evie, Eberts'll bore Hobbes to death
before that happens."
Eve swatted Darien's arm. " You two are so bad, Eberts is quite a guy, you
just don't know him." She looked at her wrist. "I'd better go see Claire, I
don't want my alter ego to appear."
Darien examined his own tattoo which was nearly empty thanks to him
performing tricks whilst filing. "I'll come to."
"Whoopee, race you to the chair." Eve took off in the direction of the keep.
Darien grinned and strolled after her leaving Eberts and a very frustrated
Bobby.
When Eve returned Twenty minutes later, Bobby and Eberts were still
bickering.
"Robert, I must insist that you file the blue forms next to the red."
"What difference does it make?"
"Everything has it's place."
"Alright. That's it!!! You know what this is Eberts? This is probable cause.
I could kill you right now and no court would convict me."
"Actually Robert, every court would convict you. You have a green form mixed
in there by the way."
Eve heard a growl. Suppressing a smile she entered the room. Bobby
practically lifted her off her feet in relief.
"Evie, save me. Death by Eberts happening here."
"Are you two still at it? Why can't you both just get along?" Eve asked
"Because Eberts is an anal pencil pusher and I'm a man of action."
"Try actioning some filing Robert." Eberts sounded annoyed. Bobby took an
aggressive pose.
"Why you little..."
"Okay, that's enough." Eve got Bobby by his ear and pulled him over to a
chair. This done, she spun round indicating for Eberts to sit. Eve stood
before them with her hands on her hips. "Not another word from either of
you."
"He started it." Bobby grumbled. Eberts looked outraged.
"I did not, if you had done what I..."
Eve held up her hand and glared. It was the first time Eberts had gotten a
glare from Eve and he shut up instantly. Bobby wasn't afraid of the glare but
he knew when to shut up. Eve looked at both men.
"I have never come across two people who annoy each other like you two do.
But let me tell you now, it stops here. Darien's sick of it, Claire is sick
of it and even the guy who cleans the halls is sick of it. If I hear one more
word that antagonizes either one of you I'll make it my mission to see to it
that you have filing detail together for the next six months. Believe me
boys, I'll do it."
Bobby and Eberts were silent. Eve raised an eyebrow. " Now, kiss and make
up." The two men shifted in their chairs. Eve began to lose patience. "Don't
make me raise my voice gentlemen." Bobby offered his hand to Eberts and
Eberts shook it. Eve smiled. "There. That wasn't so hard was it? Now Bobby,
Darien has got to have some tests run on him so I need you to help me."
Bobby got up and put his arm around her so his hand was on her bottom.
Eberts breathed a sigh of relief that Hobbes was going and turned back to the
pile of paperwork before him. Bobby's voice could be heard complaining about
having to file and what was the use of having sex with the head of archiving
when he still had to do it.
Eberts didn't hear Eve's response but heard Bobby's exclamation of pain at
being hit. He felt sad that Eve had left the room. She understood his
thinking, not like Hobbes or Fawkes who just mocked him constantly. He
sighed, it could never be. Eve was quite clearly in love with Hobbes and vice
versa, he would be content with her friendship and that would be all. Eberts
cleared his mind and went back to sorting out the mess that Bobby had made.
The End.