"She rode back in one of the helicopters. When we got back, I told her to go ahead and go home, but-."

"I said no," a new voice called. I turned my head in the direction it came from.

"Hey, stranger! Glad you made it back all right!" We exchanged hugs, then I turned back to Claire. "Wait, what about Arnaud? What'd you do with him?" Claire turned back to her work, avoiding my eyes, as the realization washed over me. "Oh, I see," I admitted dejectedly.

"Listen, Darien, we didn't mean for it to happen," she put down her notebook and faced me, "We placed him in one of the helicopters under agent escort to fly him back here. But it never made it." I gave a small nod to show I understood, although I didn't.

"So, I can go now?" I asked.

"I suppose so," Claire said, then turned back to her work. I glanced at Sage, who had remained silent, and she walked out into the hallway, leaving the Keeper and me alone. I started to follow, when Claire called me.

"Darien? Before you go," she turned around to face me, "I wanted to thank you for coming to save me. Um, I don't think there's any way to express my gratitude, but, thank you."

"It's ok, Keep, I understand, and, you're welcome." She smiled, and I turned and walked out of the lab to rejoin Sage in the long hall.

"So tell me, would you really have 'boiled him alive,' as you so eloquently put it?"

"Who, Arnaud? I'm not sure. Maybe, maybe not. I would've known if it came down to it, but luckily the little weasel gave in."

"Yeah. So, you get enough excitement?"

"Did I? Man, it was like... Christmas!"

"Hey, I don't know about you, but I don't remember Christmas involving guns, kidnaping, and death threats." She gave a small chuckle at this.

"Ok, maybe Christmas wasn't the best comparison. But, you know what I mean. I would really like to do this again sometime, Darien."

"Whoa, wait a min-."

"No, no! Wait, listen, I could, I could, you know, help you out whenever you need an extra man. Not necessarily all the time. I mean, you people run this place like a well-oiled machine. I don't wanna impede your progress, but..." She looked at me with those hypnotic eyes, and it took all my strength to stammer out an "Ok." She was worse than the Official.

She gave me a peck on the cheek, the turned and began to walk away down the hall. Then she disappeared in a smoky haze. I glanced out the window at the setting sun and realized I needed to get home, too. I pulled out my keys and started walking to my car.

"Hey, Fawkes!" Hobbes called from the opposite end of the hall. "So, you're up, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna go home and crash. You need something?"

"Uh, nah, just wanted to see if you were ok."

"I'm fine, but I'm beat. Madness induced sleep isn't exactly refreshing," I said. I began to walk away again, then stopped. "Hey, Hobbes."

"What?"

"Thanks. For bringing the choppers and agents. I admit, I really, really didn't want you tailing me, but, uh, I'm kinda glad you did."

"Sure, no problem. I'm your partner."

Charles Darwin said: "A man's friendships are one of the best measures of his worth."

So, I'm pretty lucky to have the friends I do. Blessed indeed.