Acknowledgements:

Omi as always
The BTN8rs - with apologies
The Numb3rs dot org crew - since I did the whole alphabet inspired by their challenge

Disclaimers:

"A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend" - Willow, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
I do not own any Numb3rs characters nor do I have any rights to
anything related to the TV show Numb3rs. I plead fair use and claim
only my own writing and characters.


"Something wrong, Eppes?"

Don bit his lip.

"No, Sir."

The weapons instructor at Quantico wasn't a man who tolerated being lied to, so he just glared at Don until he answered truthfully.

"It's just that I've never actually held a gun in my hand before. My family... They were pretty much anti-gun, if you know what I mean. No hunting or anything like that."

The instructor walked up to Don and picked up his gun for him, looking at it instead of Don as he spoke in a low voice.

"People who grow up around guns sometimes don't have a proper respect for them. They think they're not a big deal. They are. Guns kill people and guns save lives."

He showed Don the gun, with a sort of reverence. "Respect the power and wield it wisely. Feel the weight of it in your hand, hold it firmly in your grip and rest your finger on the trigger knowing that this weapon might be the sole thing standing between life and death - yours or an innocent's." He held the gun out to Don to take. "Realize also that at some point in your career your gun might bring a not so innocent life to an unnatural end."

Don took the gun, feeling his hand conform to its shape, sensing the power it held in its chambers.

"Are you ready to take on the responsibility that comes with a badge and a gun, Eppes?"

Don took a deep breath, checked the safety on the gun like he'd learned in class and holstered his weapon for the first time.

"Yes, Sir."