Title: Straying Lamb
Prompt: Black Sheep
Author: Jelsemium
Pairing: None, Gen
Characters: Don, Alan, Margaret
Rating: K
Warnings: None
Feedback: Feeds the ego
Disclaimer: Characters are so not mine.
Description: Don breaks some bad news to his parents.
Author's Notes: I hesitated to post this for fear of offending someone. However, that someone said 'Go ahead.' I hope she remembers that she said so. :-P
PS - Apologies if I offend anyone with my last line. Just remember, the Eppes ARE a Los Angeles family. It was almost mandatory that I say what I said.
Alan Eppes felt like he'd been punched in the gut.
"You're what?" he croaked.
"I'm leaving the Rangers at the end of this season," Don said. "Playing baseball isn't working for me."
Alan and Margaret exchanged dismayed looks.
"Donnie, you can't just give up…" Alan protested.
Don shook his head. "I'm not," he insisted. "But I have to face the facts. I'll never a great baseball player. I'll never even make the majors. I'm just not good enough."
"So, what are you moving on to?" Margaret asked.
"Well, I have my pre-law degree."
"We'll help you through law school, if that's what you want," Margaret said.
"I've applied at the FBI."
There was a long silence.
"You can't just join the FBI," Alan said.
"I know," Don said. "It takes at least eighteen months before I'll get approved. Meanwhile, I'm going to join the LAPD. If I can't get in the FBI, I'll stay with them."
"Oh," Alan was at a loss for words.
"I'm sorry for disappointing you," Don said unhappily.
Margaret hugged him. "You never disappoint us, Donnie," she insisted. "Whatever you want is fine with us, as long as you're happy."
She glared at Alan until he backed her up.
After Don left, Alan sank back onto the couch, a million worries going through his head. He was up on the news. He could easily imagine the nasty things that could happen to law enforcement agents.
"Maybe they won't want him," Margaret said, as if clutching at straws.
Alan shot her a look of disgust at the very idea that his first born wouldn't be good enough for the FBI.
Margaret actually cringed. Then she perked up. "Well, there is a bright side," she said.
"What's that?" Alan challenged.
"At least he didn't sign with the Yankees."