I am not sure how to add chapters so I have just continued under chapter one. The stories continues after Don speaks with Colby and David.
Liz Warner has returned
12:35pm Don groaned as he looked at his watch, he had worked through lunch once again. The team had just solved a 7 year old case which had been very intense upon the entire team. Don was now finishing the reports so he could pass them on the DA. He had gotten about half way through the last page when he over heard the name Warner. Don snapped his head around to see who had spoken and sure enough it was Liz Warner. She stood 12 feet away from his desk chatting with a few other agents, Don thought to him self wow it's been a long time, 2 years 11 months and 4 days to be exact, the last time he had seen Liz was the day after their relationship ended and she asked for a transfer.
He was trying to figure out what she was doing back in the LA office but before he had time to really think about it Liz stood right in front of him. She gave him a sweet smile and said " Hello Epps, been a long time. How you doing?"
Don gave her a weak smile back and said " I am alright just really busy, finishing a case. What are you doing back in LA?"
" Oh narco ask me to fill in for a few weeks, the war on drugs is never ending, plus I am tracking a drug dealer who may have come to the LA area."
"Do you need me and the team to help you with the dealer?"
"I think I can handle it, but i'll let you know if I need the team. Thanks for the offer."
"Oh, no problem anytime."
An awkward silence followed that lasted only seconds but seemed to both participants like minutes.
Don finally said "So how is NY, anything going on with you that you would like to share?"
Liz twitched at the sound of those words. she thought to her self, does he know? there was no way he could know. Snap out of Liz she told her self.
" U...ummm nothing new really, I don't have much time to do anything besides work you know how that is?" she said uneasy but with a small smile.
Don simply replied " yes" with a large grin across his face.
Later that afternoon Don began to think about all the great moments he'd had with Liz, and how he'd managed to screw them up. He also thought about how much time had passed since the last time he'd seen Liz, and why she never returned any of his phone calls. What Don didn't know was Liz had a good reason for not returning those phone calls.
On the other side of the office Liz was sitting at Megan's desk trying to look calm and so called 'normal'. Yet inside she was and very nervous, a complete basket case. She kept asking her self whether Don knew or not, eventually she decided that if he didn't how she was going to keep it from him.
Suddenly Liz was jolted back to reality when her cell phone jingled in her pocket. Glanceing at the caller ID she saw the name, which only made her even more uneasy. Stepping into the bull pen and making sure no one was following, she answered the phone. Liz kept very calm whilst on the phone, but the seconds she hung up her eyes began to water.
She thought what have I done?She knew she wouldn't be able to face Don now.
Chapter 2
As Liz hung up the phone her eyes had began to water, she quickly wiped them just as the team filed into the pull pen. No one seemed to notice Liz's panicked expression, since Colby and David were having a friendly bickering match about who was better with the ladies and Don and Megan were also deep in conversation.
Liz took three deep breaths before saying, "Sorry to interrupt this little party but I have a case i need you to help me with, it may not be one you'd usually do but its my case and it should be taken seriously." The team just sat there in shock, what was up with Liz she had never spoken to them like that before. Colby and David gave each other a look that said what the hell is her problem.
Liz began discussing the details of the case beginning with Hector Salvos, a dealer for the columbian drug cartel. He was extreamly dangerous and was now conducting his illegal actives in the States.
Colby piped up and said "what's the feds interest in this?"
"Well Colby, if you would let me finish I could tell you." she said in her strict parenting voice.
Don further shocked by her sudden outburst, she had never snapped at one of his agents before, what is going on with her? he thought silently.
When Liz had finished explaining the case, everyone agreed it was important enough to work on it right away and left imediately to make their enquireies.
After everyone had left the pull pen Don pulled Liz to one side and said "Hey are you okay?"
"Yea why?" she replied.
"Well for starters you just snapped at Colby back there."
"Oh, sorry Don this case has just been getting to me lately, thats all. It wont happen again." with that Liz left the pull pen leaving Don stood there with uneasy feeling.
Just a few short hours later it was quitting time for the team. Colby and David were the first ones out the doors, they had a 'man date' as Megan called it, consisting of watching Football and having a few too many beers.
Megan on the other hand had a date with Larry that consited of a home cooked meal and home made ice cream, so she was out the doors right after the boys had left.
Don was nearly finished himself with the intention of going over to the craftsman house to see what his Pop had cooked for dinner. He still had an uneasy feeling concerning Liz's recent behaviour so he decided to invite her to dinner.
"Hey Liz do you wanna come to dinner at Charlie's tonight, we haven't done that in ages" he said
2 years 11 months and 4 days, Liz thought to her self, to be exact Don "I am sorry Don I can't I have a few things to get done still but thanks anyway." with that she returned to her work.
" Okay i'll see you around then." Don walked away with a really strong feeling something that he couldnt put his finger on was wrong with Liz.
He drove to his brothers house hoping that dinner was ready as he was starving having skipped lunch. As he walked into the house the smell of dinner temporarily pushed his bad feelings about Liz to one side.
"Hey Donnie you made it, I made Rib-Eyes for us tonight." the elder epps said.
"Yumm, smells good Dad thanks." Don couldn't wait to eat his stake and have a nice cold beer.
Dinner went well and the two discussed each others days and generally just enjoyed a nice relaxing dinner. Charlie was still at school so Don recieved no math lesson over dinner. After dinner Don's feeling about Liz returned he couldn't shake it which made him more supicious that something was up.
"Donnie are you alright?" Alan asked.
" Yea Dad its just...Liz Warner is back in town and something is up with her."
"Oh no Donnie you aren't thinking about getting back together with her? You have Robin now, please don't screw this one up," Alan said in his most concerned parenting voice.
"No dad that's not what I mean, she seems so distant and she snapped at Colby today that's just not like her," replied Don.
Alan had a frown on his face by this time, he had memories of his wife floating back. Margret was distant and irritable after she was diagnosed,, he thought. no Liz couldn't be sick.
"Dad whats' the matter?"
"Well Donnie it's probably nothing but your mother became very distant after she was diagnosed."
"Oh God you don't think she is sick do you?" Don said fear creeping into his voice.
"Well Im sure she is fine, but Donnie..." Alan couldn't even finish his sentence because Don was out the door. He needed to speak with Liz.
He drove to the hotel she was staying at, the drive seemed endless all he could think about was how Liz was sick and he wans't there for her. He prayed that she wasn't sick and something else was going on.
He reached the desk at the hotel and asked the clerk for her room number but hotel policy stated they couldn't devulge that kind of infromation. Pulling his badge out of his pocket her flasked it at the clerk and said " FBI you idiot! Now tell me the number?" With the room number in hand he preceeded up stairs.
He stood in front of the door 409 for a few seconds trying to get his thoughts together, and then knocked a few times. The door slowly opened but Don didn't see anyone till he looked down. A little brown eyed girl had opened the door.
"Hello can I help you?" she said
"Well I am looking for Liz Warner?" he said just as an elderly lady came to the door.
"Lilly how many times have I told you not to open the door with out me?"
"I'm sorry Nana. I won't do it again," the little girl said.
"That's alright my dear. Go on and play." She turned to Don and said, "Can I help you?"
"Yes I am Don Epps and looking for Liz Warner but I must have the wrong room, I'm sorry for the interuption."
"No you have the right room. My daughter just stepped out for a few moments she will be back soon." Just as the elderly lady said that Liz walked our of the elevator, seeing Don she panicked dropping everything.
Don rushed over to her, "You alright?"
"Yes Don I am fine really you dont need ask me every time you see me." She replied with a smile. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"Well I came to talk to you, I think you have something you should tell me." Don said in a strong voice.
"Yes I think I do. Meet me downstairs in a few and we'll talk."
Chapter 3
15 minutes had pasted before Liz entered the Bar at the hotel. Don looked up and thought wow she looked amazing a black sweater and jeans she could always pull that look off.
" I'm sorry I am late."
"That's okay. I haven't been here long."
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" she said.
"Well I know you have been going through something and I just wanted to let you know your not alone anymore."
"Thanks Don I'm sorry about today I just haven't been feeling well thats all. I hope Colby isn't to upset with me."
Oh God Don thought. She is sick, what am I going to do? "How long have you known?" He asked.
Liz was a bit confused by his question. Isn't that ovious? she thought. "Well 2 years 11 months, 2 days" she answered.
"Wow that long, and the Doctors still havent fixed things?" Don asked.
Liz looked at him in complete confusion now, "Don what are you talking about?"
"Well your sick." Don said with annoyence.
"WHAT! Where did you get that idea?"
"Wait a sec, your not sick? Then why did you want to talk to me?"
"Well because of Lilly?" she said uncomfortably.
"Lilly? The little girl from upstairs?" he asked confused "What does she have to do with any of this??"
"She is my daughter Don and she is 2 years old." Don's face hit the floor. What a daughter Liz had a daughter? He couldnt believe it.
"Wow why didn't you tell me? Are you and her father together?" he asked recovering alittle.
Liz began to laugh but stopped when she rilised he hadn't put it together. She knew Charlie was the math genious and not Don but was surprised he hadnt pieced it together yet. "No we are not together. He doesn't know about her yet, it wasn't the right time for us."
Don was about to speak when something clicked, wait a minute 2 years 11 months 2 days that's how long they had been broke up for. Lilly was 2 years old that would make him the father. His confused face turned angry as it dawned on him, "Liz are you trying to tell me that Lilly is my daughter?" Liz couldnt speak so just nodded her head instead. Don began to clench his fists he couldnt belive this was happening. "Why the hell did you not tell me? Didn't think I had a right to know?" What did you think I was going to be a horrible Dad?"
"NOOOOOOOOOOO "she said " Of course I thought you would be a good dad Don, we were just broke up is all and you didn't really want anything to do with me." She added getting alittle irritated now. After all had it not been him who had ended things?
"That's not true Liz and even if it was the case is I had the right to know that you were having my child. Our child! She is a part of me. God Liz you knew how much I would of been there for you, and her." He added angrily.
"I know Don I'm really sorry and your right I should of said something before now, I can't begin to tell you how many times I thought about calling you but then time just passed..." She drifted off. "My mother called you when I was in labour but there was no answer, she didn't think it was a good idea to leave a message." Liz felt ashamed and heat rushed to her cheeks as the man she once loved glared back at her.
Don was so angry and just wanted to leave. As he was getting, Liz handed him a box and said, "this is for you. When your ready to talk. I'll be here, waiting. We will figure something out." Standing Don watched speechless as she walked away and got into the closing elevator. Leaving the hotel Don headed straight to his apartment full of rage. He thought he knew Liz better than that. He thought he could trust her. I guess I was right trust anyone. Don thought bitterly. As he entered his freezing apartment and headed straight for the fridge for a cold one he put the small box on the counter top. Taking a few sluggs from his beer Don just stood there glaring at the box. Picking it up again He slumped down on the couch staringt at the tiny box in his hand, not wanting to open it.
Finally after a few more sluggs of beer Don had calmed down enough to open it. Putting the beer down on the coffee table he opened the box and inside was a book with a silver inscription. It said, 'An angel from God, Lillian Margret Elisabeth Warner.' Don felt like vomiting. She had given Lilly his moms name for her middle name. I guess Liz wasn't so cruel after all he thought. Slowly, he began to flip through the book. The first few pages were of Liz being pregnant and working at the office still. Don didn't approve of being pregnant and working as an Agent it didn't mix well and regretfully he found himself feeling protective of the glowing woman in the picture. She looked so fragile and vunrable.
The rest were pictures of Liz in labour she looked so beautiful and calm. Then the focus of the photos changed. The first was a picture of a new born Lilly being cradeled by Liz. Don felt his heart squeese simultaniously from bothe joy and pain. I missed all this? at this point Don felt like crying. He could just about feel the pride beaming on Liz's face. And even worse he could feel the gap in the left of the frame where he should have been. Right there at that moment and together, holding his daughter for the first time. The Birth certificate read father Donald Alan Epps, Don felt very cold at this point and the anger returned how could Liz not tell him? he keept asking him self and wondered if he could ever forgive her for not telling him.
Don kept looking through the book which was just filled with all the first moments of Lilly's life that her had missed. Her first step, her frist tooth, her first real injury. At the end there was a letter that was entitled 'To my daddy.' Slowly, Don began to read it:
'Dear Daddy
I know you don't know me but I know you. Mommy has told me lots about you.
My name is Lillian but everyone calls me Lilly for short. I am 2 years old and love to play outside with my little bat and ball.'
Don began to smile she was just like him he continude to read on:
My mommy has told me that you are a brave superhero that works for the FBI. Also that my uncle is really good with math. I don't like to count so I don't know if uncle Charlie and I are going to like each other.'
Don laughed so hard at this point:
'Daddy please don't me mad at mommy, she was just trying to protect me. I hope you still want to know me and maybe be my daddy?'
The letter ended with:
'I love you.
Lilly.' With hearts and kisses drawn beside her name.
Don knew this letter was writen by Liz but he felt like Lilly was trying speak to him. How could he not want know her? She was a part of him. He couldn't turn away from his own child. Not now that he'd found her.
Chapter 4
It was 4:39 AM and Don couldn't sleep, not after what happened last night. All he could think about was Lilly and how Liz had'nt told him. He decided he needed to get up anyway in a few hours so why not get a head start. What Don really needed was a warm shower and a hot cup of coffee. After Don got dressed and had his morning java he grabbed his gun, keys, and cell and headed out the door. As he drove to office all he could think about was how he could be a father to Lilly, how his father was going to react knowing he'd always wanted grand kids but this might be the best situation for a granddaughter.
He finally reached the office figuring one of his team might be there due to the fact it was 6:00 AM, but he was wrong as he stepped off the elevator he saw the one face he was trying to avoid Liz's.
Don walked past her not even acknowledging her, she stalked after him and said "Your going to have to speak to me at some point or another."
"Why so you can tell me I have another child out there?" Don shot back angerily, knowing that it would hurt her.
"No Don because I have our daughter, I thought you would want to see her before we head back." She hot back just as angrily.
Don realized that this was going no where and that he was going to have put his feelings aside for Liz if he wanted to see Lilly.
"Okay fine, where do we go from here?" he asked uneasily.
"Lilly is going to be at the hotel most of the day so after we rap this case up I thought you'd like to meet her again. As her father this time."
"Does she know who I am?" Don felt stupid asking that question " What I mean is does she know what I look like?"
"Yes she does I show her pictures of us all the time, I want her to remember us in happier times."
"Okay I guess I will meet you this afternoon then around 4:30pm at the hotel?" he said
"Sure I will have finished the case by then." she said giving him an optimistic smile that tore at his heart.
The day seemed so long for Don. He kept playing in his mind what would happen this afternoon, how was Lilly going to react to him? would she even care that he was her daddy? The hours passing on the clock seemed like hours, untill finally 3:45pm rolled around and Don was straight out the door telling his team he had a meeting to attend. He didn't think they should know yet. [/i] Hell this was all new to him and he couldnt take having to answer any questions.[i]
As he reached the hotel room 409 he knocked and Liz opened the door, she said softly, "Please come in Don."
Chapter 5
Here have a seat. I will go get her." Liz breifly left the room and all Don could hear was her soft voice, "Lilly honey come out here please. Someone is here to see you."
Don was nervous and discusted to see his hands were shaking, he felt like he was being tested on life's greatest challenge. Fatherhood. Don't Screw this up! he told himlesf silently. Those fears calmed the minute Lilly walked into the room, Don couldn't help but notice she as the spiting image of her mother.
Lilly walked right up to don and said, "hello my name is Lilly, what is yours?"
Don didn't know how to respond to that question, it was rediculous you would think he'd never been asked his name before. "Uhh-ummm...well Don that's my name."
Lilly began to giggle and said, "wrong your name is daddy" Liz sat just a few feet away with a large grin on her face. Don couldn't help but smile from ear to ear as well. His little girl just called him daddy for the first time. He felt the full force of the emotion the second he picked her up and cradeled her in his large arms. Resting her small delicate head on his shoulder Lilly gave him a warm squeese, bringing tears to his already watering eyes.
As he sat there huging his daughter he whispered, "You're right Lilly my name is Daddy."she is extremely smart for only 2 years old Don thought to himself. That must come from Liz side of the family.
As the night wore on Don, Liz and Lilly all had dinner together and Liz asked Don if he would like to stay and help put Lilly down for the night. Slowly relaxing into his new role of fatherhood he gladly excepted and helped as much as he could.
The next few days were similar. Don would come over and spend time with Lilly, have dinner and put her to bed. By the third night he had mastered the bedtime routine from brushing teeth to a bedtime story and suprisingly found he loved watching his daughter's awed face as he told her about the young woman named Aurora who pricked her finger on a spining wheel spindel and feel asleep for a 100 years.
Don and Liz had decided that tomorrow would be a good day to tell Alan and Charlie and then the team about Lilly since Liz and Lilly had to return to NY the following week. Liz and Don had worked it all out in how they were going to brake the news to everyone first it was off to the craftsman house and then the office. Don did let Liz know that he was going to tell Robin tonight, she agreed that it would be a good idea.
Don's converstation with Robin, however, hadn't gone as planned. Robin felt that she wasn't ready to raise someone elses child, and that she needed sometime to think. With that said Robin and Don agreed to take a brake for while so both could clear their heads. Don just thought if this is what is going to be like telling everyone about Lilly, he wasn't looking forward to telling the rest of the gang, however, hopefully they would be more supportive.
The next morning Don called the office letting Megan know he was going to be late. He decided he would pick up Liz and Lilly and head over to his brothers house to brake the news first. Don had called ahead and spoke to his father saying he had some news for the two of them. As they pulled into the driveway of Dons childhood home Alan was standing outside waiting with a smile on his face.
"Hello Donnie, how are ya?"
"Hey Pop how's it going?" Don said while stepping out of the SUV. "I have someone I like you to meet Dad." Don said whilst Liz was sturggling to help Lilly out of the backseat.
"Oh sure well Liz how are you?" he said giving her a warm hug.
"I am good thank you Mr. Epps how are you?"
"Liz call me Alan, please. I am fine thank you, well who is this little one hiding?" He asked peering down at Lilly.
Lilly had clung to Liz's pant leg since leaving the car and hid just out of sight behind her mother's leg. "My name is Lilly." She said quitely.
"Well hello ms Lilly, my name is Alan. Its nice to meet you" he said with a smile.
"Hey pop why dont we go inside and we can talk in there." Don said knowing this next part was going to go either really well or horrible wrong.
"Donnie what's going on are you two alright and who is this little girl?"
"Well dad that's why we are here, Lilly is Liz's daughter or well I should say our daughter."
Alan nearly fell to the floor Don had to catch him, he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"How could you not tell us? She must be at least two or three already." Alan asked angrily. "How could you keep a secret like that from me Donnie?" Alans eyes had hurt written all over them and Don felt guilty for crushing his father. After all he guessed he wasn't the only one devistalted to have missed out on all the firsts in Lilly's life. Alan had probably been dreaming of grand kids for a long time.
"Alan," Liz said softly, "Don didn't know about Lilly till a few days ago. It was my fault I never spoke up about her."
It took about 20 minutes for the hole story to be told from beginning to end but finally Alan came around and said, "Well I thought I'd never see this day Donnie, giving me grand kids before Charlie. Wow."
Both Liz and Don broke out in laughter. Leting out a huge sigh of releif Don finally felt like things were going to be okay.
Suprisingly Charlie, who doesnt work well with change, was the easiest to explain things to. Excited about the prospect of being an Uncle, regardless of Liz's warning that Lilly didn't like to count nore did she like numbers very much, Charlie just joked and said, "No problem just leave her with me for an hour and she'll love math."
Both Alan and Charlie decided that tonight would be a family affair with Don, Liz, and Lilly but before they could ge to dinner they would have to make a trip to the office. As both Don and Liz entered the office Megan was sitting at he desk making phone calls, while David and Colby were having a deep conversation about how many beers it takes to get drunk. That conversation quickly ended once the two of them saw Don.
"Hey guys I need to talk to you in the pull pen please." Don said while Liz made her way to the pull pen.
David looked at Colby and said "Man we are in so much shit, I knew we should have been working." Colby just gave a nod in agreement. As the three team members made their way into the pull pen Liz and Don stood up front talking.
"Okay so what's this about you two?" Megan ask suspicious.
"I know," Colby spoke up, "You two are getting back together once again for like the 9th time." Colby turned and gave David a high five.
"NOOO Colby," Don said in a very concerned voice, "and for the record it would of only been for the third time." He said grining now.
Liz couldn't help but smile, David spoke up and said "Well what is it then? if you aren't getting back together then what's so important?"
Well Liz began "I have a little secret to tell everyone. I left LA a few years ago as you know, not because I didn't want to stick around but because I was pregnant." As soon as Liz said pregnant David and Colby's faces hit the floor and Megan had no expression of her face at all.
"Wait What?" Colby said, "Who is the father? It's not me is it?"
Liz began to laugh and said "Well Colby we would have to have had to slept together in order to have child."
"Right I knew that." He said feeling stupid while the team laughed.
Don spoke up and said "o Colby your not the father, I am."
Don's statement sent another shock wave through out the team, Megan went immediately on the defence and said, "How could you not tell us Don? Don't you trust us.?"
"Of course I do Megan I didn't know until a few days ago my self." he said.
Which just filled the pull pen with more confusion and odd looks, then Liz began to explain everything it took once again 20 minutes to explain it all.
Once it was in the open everyone was about to get up and walk out when Colby jumped up and said, "I'm an uncle now, David we are uncles now you know what that means right?"
David shook his head still trying to process the whole situation.
"Well" Colby proceeded to explain "Being an uncle is a big job we take her to baseball games, hockey games, carnivals, fill her full of sugar and then send her home, and not to forget she will be coming to us with her boy problems."
"Woh wait a minute," Don said "She isn't dating till she is 45 years old and you'll be dead by then." he found him self saying in a protective sort of way.
Now that everything was out in the open Don had the next week to concentrate on being with Lilly. He knew, however, that this week was going to be bitter sweet because this was the week she was leaving.
Chapter 7
The next week was filled with activities for Don and Lilly. Don had taken the week off so he could spend as much time with Lilly as possible. Every morning they started out with dad and daughter breakfasts, followed by the beach, carnivals, the zoo, and ended the day with a visit to Grandpa Alan's. It was a nice routine for the two of them, even Liz had joined in a few activities and from an outside point of view it almost seemed like the perfect family.
On the morning before Liz and Lilly would have to head back to NY. Don woke up with a pain in his stomach he had been dreading about tomorrow but more spicifically the conversation he was going to have to have with Liz about the custody arrangement. He knew he wasn't going to let Lilly walk out of life and forget about her, he had to figure out a way to see her on a regular bases so he could be an active part of her life. He didn't want tom miss anything else.
It was a warm spring morning in LA and Don was on his way over to the Hotel to have breakfast with Lilly and Liz. He kept thinking of what he was going to say to Liz, how he was going to propose a plan to her that would work. Finally he reached the hotel he waved to the hotel staff at the desk since they all knew him well by now. He proceeded to head upstairs to see the girls. As he reached the door he could hear Liz giving Lilly trouble for something she had done, Don listed till Liz was finished and then knocked on the door.
A distracted Liz said, "Come in Lilly is on a time out so don't say anything to her till her 5 minutes are up okay?"
"Okay what did she do?" he asked in his best parenting voice.
"Well your daughter opened the door once again and walked out of the hotel room with out me"
Don couldn't help but smile Liz had said 'your daughter' which warmed his heart he then asked,
"Well maybe we can talk while she is on a time out?"
"Sure what you need?" Liz said in a distracted manner.
"Well I would like to talk to you about Lilly and a custody arrangement." Don replied calmly.
Liz shot him a look disapproval "What do you mean custody arrangement? Lilly comes back with me to NY and she will continue to live with me end of story" she said defensively.
"Liz come on, you've got to give me something. I just found out I have daughter, I would like to see her and spend time with her on a regular bases, are you going to deny that from me?" Don asked irritaded.
"No of course not, sorry I just don't think Lilly is ready to be away from me, she is to young for that"
"Yeah I get that I never said she would have to come here alone, both of you should or I could head to NY."
"Okay well we'll work this out later then. I agree Lilly needs both parents in her life." Liz said with a tinny smile.
Don was relived that Liz was going to let him be apart of her life and that the conversation went much smoother than he'd thought it would.
After Lilly had her little time out the three of them had breakfast and then decided on the days activites, since it was the last day in LA. Don knew the day would end with a big BBQ at his brothers house, for one last family dinner which this time included the team and Larry and Amita.
The three of them decided to go to the park and the beach, but before they could go Don and Liz had to head to the office to sign paper work and talk to the AD about the case they just finished.
As the elevator doors opened at the FBI office Lilly spotted Colby and David at their desk working. She ran right up to them and said, "Uncle David, Uncle Colby I'm here, we can play now" with such a sweet smile on her round face.
Both Colby and David's face lit up when they saw her, Colby said "well hello there princess how are you today?"
"I am good Uncle Colby are we going to go play?" she asked persistantly.
Just as she said that Don and Liz came walking over and Don nodded at the two men before saying, "Hey guys how's it going?"
Both answered together, "good thanks."
"Well in that case could you two do me a favour and watch Lilly for a few minutes? Liz and I gotta go talk to the DA about the Columbian Drug Cartel." Don said hoping they would say yes.
"Sure no problem we'll watch her, go on take your time" David replied happily.
Liz crouched down in front of Lilly and said "Listen baby girl mommy has to go into the next room, can you do me a big favour and be good for Uncle David, and Uncle Colby? "
"Sure mommy I will be right here when you get back" She replied sweetly.
Liz just nodded and gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead, then looked up David and Colby and said " Listen she is runner, she likes to take of and explore places, please keep an eye on her at all times."
"Don't worry Liz I won't take my eye of of her I promise." Colby said with a wide grin.
Don and Liz were heading just down the hall to DA office, and Colby stopped a new female agent that he was determent to get a date from, so he told Lilly to stay put and not to move till he got back. David looked up and said
"Come over here Lilly uncle David is learning how to play chess on the computer."
Lilly wadled over to David and watched for a few moments as David attempted to beat a game of chess, but soon she was bored and began to wander off. David was to fixed on the computer screen and Colby was trying extremely hard to get a date with this new agent to realize.
After a few moments David turned and was about say Lilly would you like something to drink when he realized she wasn't beside him anymore. He immediately jumped up and looked around but only saw agents in the office, he began to panic
Chapter 8
David began to call her name but got no reply. Finally Colby clued in and ran over and asked "David where the hell is she?"
"I have no idea she was just here, I just turned around for a second." David said with a panic stricken voice.
"Well she couldn't of gotten far, right?" Colby said just as paniced.
"We are so screwed if we don't find her. Don is going to fire our asses and then kills us if we don't get her back."
The two men walked up and down the hallways of the office looking for her, by this time 17 minutes had passed since she was last seen.
Don and Liz were in the DA office talking oblivious to what was going on just outside the door. Several agents and techs at this point were looking for her, but no luck she was no where to be found. All David could think of was what Liz said DONT LET HER OUT OF YOUR SIGHT EVEN FOR A SECOND! she likes to wonder off.
25 minutes had now passed by this point, David and Colby feared she had gotten on the elevator and was now on her way out the door. Both couldn't believe how a 2 year old girl could go missing and undetected in a FBI building.
After 30 minutes had passed without seeing Lilly, David called a code blue. As the alarm sounded and the loud speaker rang code blue code blue building on lock down, Liz and Don looked at each other in confusion why is a code blue being called they thought. Then Don clued in, "code blue means missing child, Oh god," he just about managed to say.
"Lilly, it's Lilly" Liz said jumping up frantically.
Both ran down the hall from the DA office to find Colby and David searching in the office for what clearly seemed to be their missing daughter.
"How the hell did this happen?" Don said his voice angry.
"I don't know Don, she was here one minute and the next she was gone," was David's weak reply.
"Oh my god how long has she been missing?" Liz said in a panicked voice.
"Well technicall at this moment 38 minutes and 40 seconds." Colby said carefully.
"What?! that long!, why the hell did you two idiots not come find us?" Don said now extremely pissed off.
"Well boss we thought we could find her before we had to call a code blue" Colby replied extreamly carefully now.
"My God Don she could be out on the street by now! Lilly is smart she knows how to get out of places" Liz said in complete fear of what was happening.
"Alright lets just calm down and look for her, Colby and David head downstairs and see if anyone has seen her."
Don looked around seeing the extra man power to help him find her. "Chris you go with Dylan and look for her outside alright" Don ordered.
"Jake you pull up video surveillance, I wanna see if she showed up on any of the tapes, look back at Davids desk approximately 40 minuites ago."
"Got it Don I'm on right now." Jake said as he sprinted off to the tech room.
Liz was shaking at this point, she thought to herself she had been to how many crime scenes? how many dead bodies she had seen, but when it came to her missing daughter she was complete basket case. All Don could do was tak her in his arms and try to calm her down.
chapter 9
At that moment Megan walked out the elevator in complete confusion, "Why are we on a lock down? Who's kid is missing?" she asked annoyed. Who could be stupid enough to miss place a child she thought silently. One look at Liz and it was evident that the missing child was Lilly. "Oh no Liz what happened?"
"Don and I were in the DA office and left Lilly with David and Colby so much for good parenting hey?" She replied as tears welled up in her eyes.
"It's okay we'll find her. I promise, it'll be okay." Megan said in the calm voice she used in paniced situations like this one.
By this time an hour had passed which was no good sign for a missing child. Jake finally got the surveillance up and running both Don and Liz were scanning it. They saw Lilly walking towards the elevator and sure enough she got on it, Liz said " How the hell did no one realize a 2 year old was getting on the elevator?"
Once it came time to review the lobby footage Jake began to realize that the cameras downstairs were being worked on today of all days. So of course there was no footage to be seen, Don began to freak out. This was ever parents nightmare. "I am going to kill those two idiots!" He shouted angrily. "My daughter walked on a elevator and we have no clue where she is. If anything happens to her I swear to God I will kill them both. I swear to God i'll do it."
"Don it's okay," Megan said patting his arm gently.
"Like hell it is, my daughter is missing can't you see that!" He shot back.
Megan just nodded knowing he was just upset and scared. The tears tht had been threatening to fall fell and Liz hastily swatted them away. She had worked enough missing children's cases to realize what the odds were of finding Lilly.
The next few hours were the same. With every agent, clerk and technitcian sweeping the building and surrounding streets. Jake continued to scan the surveillance footage hoping she would be found on one of the other floors. Charlie, Amita and Alan were all called in to help search for her but found nothing. No one could find her anywhere.
It was around 4:16 pm when Don decided it was time to call in an Amber Alert. Don knew normal prodecal a child would have to be missing for 24 hours before the call could be made, but he pulled a few strings and got going. Liz had gone from compitent agent to a compleltely hopeless mother looking for her baby girl. Things were not looking good for the Epps and Warner family.
Just a few hours earlier Lilly had been spotted walking just 20 feet away from the FBI building, the toodler had managed to walk right out without being noticed. A local Police officer on a routin patrol told them that he'd spotted her and asked her, "Hey Little Lady, where's your mommy?"
She had just shrugged her shoulders, so he then proceeded to ask her her name. She had simply replied, "Lilly." whilst avoiding his eyes.
"Well Lilly do you have a last name?" the officer asked patiently. She simply shook her head.
The officer called it in as a missing child to dispatch and told them he would be taking her back to the station. Lilly was a bit heasitant on getting in the car, but the officer explained that he was a police man and it was okay.
Once back at the station the officer and his colleges ran the local missing children's data base, but no one with Lilly's description matched. Of course what the officer didn't know that Lilly was missing from the local FBI office, and that the FBI didn't file a missing report yet because they figured they would find her by themselves.
Lilly was taken care of for that afternoon and early evening. The local police officeres had given her lunch and had played with her, by the time the Amber Alert was issued the police officers had taken a brake from trying to find Lilly's parents, figuring that someone would come to claimh her sooner or later.
Back at the FBI office Don was ready to lose it, it was 7pm she had been missing for alomst 12 hours. Don kept running senarious through his mind of what happened and where she was at. Charlie, Amita and Larry were trying to come up with an algorithm to locate the missing toddler.
David and Colby were still serching driving up and down the streets by this point, when finally Colby said
"Hey did we ever contact LAPD and see if she was spotted by one of them?"
David shook his head. Placinghte siren on top of he car they raced over to the nearest precinct.
Chapter 10
As they walked into the precinct a lady at the desk asked, "Hello can I help you?"
"Yes we are with the FBI we were woundering if any of your officers spotted a missing toddler today?"
She began to smile and said, "what the toodlers name?"
"Lilly, Lilly Warner-Epps" David replied.
The lady had a large grin on her face now and said "Well yes she is upstairs with one of our officers. I'll let them know your here."
David and Colby both nearly fell to the ground as relief spread throughout them. Thank god both thought collectively. she is here. they ran up the stairs to find Lilly playing in on the floor.
Colby said "Lilly! Are you alright?"
"Uncle Colby what you doing here?" she asked comfusion scrunching up her little face.
"Looking for you young lady, do you know how much trouble you are in? Do know how scared your mommy and daddy are?" David replied sternly.
Lilly just looked at them blankly as they spent a few minutes discussing and thanking the officer who found her. Then scooping her up into his large arms Colby, David and Lilly headed back to the FBI offices.
As they entered the building Lilly in hand most of the agents downstairs had a smile on their face, this was going to be a happy ending. The elevator ride seemed like forever for Colby and David, they hadn't phoned a head to tell Don and Liz about Lilly, they figured they would just show up.
Once off the elevator a few agents spotted them and began to clap loudly. At that same moment Don, Liz, Alan, Charlie, Amita, and Megan turned looking out of the Pull Pen to find Lilly in David's arms.
Don sprinted towards them with Liz hot on his heels. Don riped Lilly out of David's arms and just held her so tightly to him she could hardly breath. Liz was in tears and clinging on to Don and Lilly. Both were so happy to have Lilly back there were no words to describe it. Don for the first time had been scared to death he now knew what it literaly meant to be parent.
Charlie piped up and said "Where was she?"
David and Colby gave a small chuckle and said in unasion "The Police station."
"What?" Don replied confused.
"Yeah I guess an officer spotted her this morning walking a few feet from the building and took her to the closest pricinct. " David replied.
"Why did no one bring her back here?" Alan asked confused.
"Well because Lilly didn't remember her last name, and we never filled a missing child report with PD" Colby said.
"By the time the Amber Alert came out, LAPD stopped looking for her parents figuring someone would come by and get her." David said
"Oh thank God, baby girl you gave us a heart attack you have no idea how much trouble you are in." Don said feeling like a dad for the first time.
"Sorry daddy" she said tears welling up in her tiny brown eyes.
"It's okay honey lets get you home okay?" Liz said pulling Lilly out of Dons arms.
"Okay just wait here for a moment." Don said to Liz.
"You two with me now." Don said glaring at Colby and David.
As they were walking to wards the pull pen Charlie told everyone, "They are so fired, it was good knowing them."
Don closed the door behind them as he began by saying,"You two have dissapointed me today like never before, I trusted you with my daughter and you pull this stunt? I have never felt so betraied by either one of you since I have known you. With that said I just wanted to thank you both for bringing her back. Since this was un offical FBI buisness I have no right to fire you or saspend you either. But let me make my self clear, you two have a lot of stucking up to do to regain my trust and Liz's trust is that understood?"
"Yes Sir" both answered solumly.
"Okay then we are done here, thank you again for finding her." Don said as he walked out of the pull pen.
By the time they finaly left the FBI offices it was 8:30pm and Lilly was half asleep in Liz's arms so Don picked her up and cradeled her in his while they were making their way the SUV.
Lilly was half a sleep in Don's arms, by the time they arrived at Liz's hotel room. Giving Lilly one last quick hug goodnight Don safely tucked Lilly into her as tired as their unconscious child,Don and Liz collapsed into nearby chairs, neither one wanting to let Lilly out of their sight. Today had been one of the worst day's of Liz and Don's lives.
Looking over at Don, Liz could see his concern for Lilly's safty etched into the small lines around his she leaned over and placed her hand on his."She's alright," she whispered,"she's here with us."
Don swallowed hard trying to speak but no words were leaving his mouth So instead they sat there for the next few minutes in awkward silence till Don finally managed to say, "What am I supposed to do?"
Confused byhis question Liz asked, "What do you mean Don?"
"Do you really expect you can just take Lilly back NY and leave me here." Don replied, fustration making his voice thick with emotion.
She had known this was coming but with the exaustion of the day Don had caught her off her hand she sat back before saying, "Don listen to me,I am not taking her away from you. We are simply heading home. I have no problem with you visiting us in NY or us coming out here every now and again."
"Visiting? You make it sound like I am an uncle who lives 20,000 miles away and she can visit in the summer," Don said angrily. "Dammit Liz she is my daughter ."
"I knew this was coming!" She shouted back, "I should of never told you about Lilly, I knew you try to take her from me. You have another thing coming Epps if you think Lilly is staying here with you!" Liz was so angry with Don she was ready to take Lilly and leave for NY tonight.
Realizing that Liz was right he said softly,"I am sorry. You're right, ok, I know that. You just have to understand that today I felt like a father. I have never been so scared about anything or anyone before today . I couldn't stop thinking 'what if I never get to see her again?' or play with her? To hold her in my arms and see her look at me with such devotion and love..."Leaning forward in his seat Don rested his elbows on his knees and put his face in his hands. "It nearly destroyed me," he whispered.
Don looked so dischiveled and tired that all the guilt in not telling Don before,crashed over Liz, she knew exactly what Don was talking about. "Alright then. We both know this isn't going to work with Lilly and I living in NY full time." Liz admitted frustratedly.
Looking up Don said, "It's quite simple, tomorrow I'll call the AD and ask for a transfer to NY. I'll be a regular Agent again but at least I get to see my kid."
"Absolutely not," Liz knew how hard Don had worked for the position as supervisor, plus she knew it'd kill him to leave Charlie and Alan behind.
"What do you mean no? What else can we do then Warner?" hestared at her confused.
"I'll see if I can get a transfer here, back onto the team. That's if you take me back?" she said with a grin.
"Of course I'd take you back, I've always said you were good agent." Don said with a returning grin. "But I could'nt let you sacrifice your new job in NY. It's a great position, you worked hard for it." he added.
"Don, you and Lilly need time together. Lord knows i've kept you apart long enough and I am not about to give up my most important job, being her mom. Are we clear on that?" She said in her best FBI agent voice.
"Oh yeah you made yourself very clear Warner" he said laughingly.
For the next few hours they both discussed when and how this master plan would take place. Eventually they decided that Liz would still head home with Lilly in the morning, and Don would fly to NY the next weekend to visit. By the time 3:14 am hit both Don and Liz had passed out in the chairs near Lilly's bed.
A few hours later Don awoke to find Liz still sound asleep. Getting up he found a spare blanket and laid it overher before turning to his daughter. Don's heart lept to his throat as he saw Lilly's bed was empty. Don's mind began to race and two words came to mind NOT AGAIN.
Don turned around and ripped the bedroom door open to find Lilly sitting at the TV, with the remote in her hands, watching cartoons. A huge wave of relife washed over down next to Lillyhe said,"Baby girl you have to stop scaring Daddy like that, no more leaving the room without telling me or mommy okay?"
She just smiled innocently in reply and said, "hmm k," with not much conviction. With that settled Don crossed his legs and sat watching Saturday cartoons with his daughter. When Liz finally woke up she noticed neither Don nor Lilly were in the bedroom. She imediately guessed that they must be watching TV and sure enough both were sitting on the floor watching transfixed as Bugs Bunny got one over on Daffy Duck. Laughing Liz leaned on the door frame and watched as Lilly told Don that Tweety was her favourite.