Secrets in the Sun
Author: Dragon's Daughter 1980
Spoilers: Season 1, Judgment Call
Pairing: Don/Terry
Disclaimer: CBS has ownership over Numb3rs. That being said, I'm just borrowing the cast for my own enjoyment and I promise to return all characters unharmed.
Author's Note: First of all, this is a completely separate universe from the events in 'Changes and Choices.' Don and Terry are not in a relationship of any sort. Second of all, for the foreseeable future, this story will have a basis in the events of Season 2. But that is not a promise. Things may change without notice; I could go off on my own tangent or the newest episode next Friday could throw my plotline for a loop. Third of all, I am not an expert in law enforcement procedures, so if things become a little unrealistic, please drop me a note and forgive me.
The phone rang shrilly in her one-bedroom apartment, shattering the peaceful atmosphere of quiet Mozart. With a soft sigh, FBI Special Agent Megan Reeves picked up the handheld phone with one hand as she closed her latest personal case notes and sat back on her living room couch. This better not be another case, she groused to herself. You'd think that L.A., one of the vacation spots in the world, would know the definition of 'off-duty.'
"Hello?"
"Hi, Megan," said a familiar voice. Megan smiled, drawing her legs up onto the couch.
"Terry," she replied warmly in greeting, "how're you doing?"
The other FBI agent laughed quietly, the laugh that was particular to law enforcement, edged with cynicism and hope, "As good as can be. How are you finding it?"
"You were right," Megan replied, "They're a good team. Is your line…?"
"Yes," her friend answered immediately. "Yours?"
"Yes," Megan glanced at the blinking red light on the phone cradle's side. While her 'neighbor' made sure to monitor her activities twenty-four/seven, he also understood her need for privacy and Megan knew her conversations remained confidential. Now, knowing that the call was secure, she said, "Charlie is a great teacher… even when I can't really understand what he's talking about."
"He does that sometimes." Terry sounded amused, "If you need help reining him in, ask Don, Amita or Larry for help."
"Who's Larry?"
"Fleinhardt, Professor of Physics at CalSci," answered Terry. "Absent-minded at times, but he's like a mentor figure to Charlie and Amita."
"Amita," the younger agent called up the image of the young woman, "what can you tell me about her?"
"Such as?" asked Terry.
"Is there anything going on?"
"Yes," replied the seasoned agent, reading her friend's mind, "The two of them are seriously flirting with each other. I'm fairly sure that they'll be dating soon. She's got the patience of a saint when she needs it. Charlie's adorable, but sometimes he can be very trying."
"That doesn't seem like him."
"That's only because you haven't worked with him long enough yet. It took me months to get even a basic grasp of him. He's a genius, but he's also human."
"What do you mean?"
"There're … some unresolved issues for him," said Terry hesitantly. "With Don being an agent and some personal things… he might turn to you for advice once you've earned his trust, but you have make sure you don't betray it or push him too much. He's hard to read and sometimes, unpredictable. It took me a long time to know when he wants you to back off."
"He seemed fairly normal to me."
"Yeah, that he is," agreed Terry, "but he's still a civilian consultant and a genius at that, plus, he's still Don's little brother, even when they won't admit it. Anytime he has to send Don out into the field on his information… he has panicked when things have gone wrong. If he does, be firm and gentle with him until he's sure that Don's okay, then offer him an open door and leave it at that. He has to come find you for help; otherwise, he won't accept it."
"All right, thanks." Megan sighed heavily.
"Everything all right?" asked Terry in concern. Even though Terry couldn't possibly see her, Megan looked down as she tried to impart her news, her voice gentle as if she could soften the blow, "I've heard… Do you know what Merrick told him, about your transfer?"
"Yeah," Terry whispered sadly after a beat, "I know. Told him myself."
"He — he's started dating again. Nadine Hodges." There was pained silence on the other end of the phone line. "I'm sorry Terry, I know that—"
"It's okay Megan," Terry's voice sounded slightly strained. "You can't do anything about it. You can't tell them about me. Not without getting into trouble."
"Still, I wish—"
"Megan," said the senior agent, "if every agent could make their wish come true, then we wouldn't have crime. It's not safe to tell them, not for me, and especially not for you. It's all right." Both of them knew Terry was lying to cover up her heartbreak. Megan let silence descend; both women needed it, one to collect herself, the other to organize her thoughts.
"We wrapped up a case today," she said abruptly, "cop's widow put a hit out on a judge's wife. It got me thinking… why didn't I see that? I mean, one of our own…"
"You know that profiling's one of the toughest fields there is," said Terry wisely, "You made a valid assumption based on rational reasoning — it's what we've been taught — but we both know that humans are rarely rational."
"Yeah," Megan said softly, knowing all too well that truth in that statement and the dangers of immersing herself in the criminal mind. She had gotten too close. I should've turned the case over. Why didn't I turn the damn case over to Fred? I knew I was too close; I knew something was up and I kept my mouth shut. Stupid, stupid…
"Your reports are extensive," complimented Terry after a pause. "It's been a big help."
"Thanks. How much longer do you have?"
"Enough," replied Terry unperturbedly before her voice softened into a plea, "I… look out for them, please? Make sure Don's careful? He doesn't think about himself sometimes. I know he takes precautions, but tell him that there's someone who needs help — and he doesn't always think. And David and Charlie and the others; can you look out for them while I'm gone?"
"Yeah, will do," Megan nodded before making a request of her own, "Can you make sure Brian's okay too?"
"I will. I've spoken to him already. He said to tell you that he misses you a lot." Terry paused before saying softly, "Thanks."
"Thank you," replied Megan, stressing the need for Terry to know that she didn't need to ask Megan to look out for the Los Angeles team. "When can you call again?"
"I don't know."
"Be careful Terry," she pleaded, "Those guys are tough."
"I know. I'll talk to you later. Bye."
"Bye," said Megan just before Terry hung up. She replaced the phone back in the cradle before slumping back against the couch and looking up at the ceiling, searching for an answer. How in the world did we get caught up in this mess? How could I have screwed up so badly to have to start over? Fool, fool, what a fool…what an idiot…