COMFORT

by agrepina

A warm and lazy afternoon sun was bathing the hospital room. It was a peaceful sight, although Alan Eppes who had fallen asleep on a chair, one hand holding a big book on his chest, the other one on the hospital bed, resting next to the hand of his son, would probably disagree. Alan Eppes had spend some trying 36 hours and the fact that he had finally surrendered to sleep, involuntarily not to mention, didn't mean he considered everything to be over yet. It was a good thing that the doctors had declared that Don was well on his way to recovery and allowed Alan to sit next to his sons bed. However Don had yet to regain consciousness. Once he had seen him awake and spoken to him then he would allow himself to shake off the suffocating feeling of unspeakable emotions inside.

Even though sleeping the sleep of exhaustion now Alan's mind was anything but resting. So there was no comfort for Alan Eppes.

Don awoke so sudden that he needed a few seconds first to register that he hadn't been conscious before and that he had just come to now. To his surprise, his mind was quick to gather all the memories he needed to understand where he was and why. He felt somehow detached. As if someone else was lying in this bed and the memories that were coming to him, about the stakeout, the heist, and the stabbing were not his but someone else's. He blinked several times slowly to ground himself. Thinking was hard. It was as if his mind was suddenly wide open and he was out of control. He was sure that there were some important things he had to consider but it was no use to dwell on it now when his senses and thoughts were so rambled.

There was only one sensation that was not abandoning him; it was the warmth on the tips of the fingers of his right hand. He knew instantly that it was his father. The sense of security he felt by that simple touch was so relieving that Don couldn't think of anything else but to return the comfort.

Don slowly moved his fingers on top of his fathers. It was the first thing he did after regaining consciousness, to comfort himself and his worried father.

Alan Eppes sleep was so light that it took him only a second to register the fingers on top of his'. Though he needed another second to understand what had happened. Then he was looking into the dark eyes of his son. Don was awake.

"Good book?"

"Nah, I have read better."

It was over. They had made it. So many emotions erupted in him that he couldn't really register a single one. The only thing he registered was that he had taken the first deep and easy breath in the last 36 hours. Alan Eppes threw that dumb book he had imitated to read for the last couple hours onto the bed and grabbed his sons' fingers and arm, never breaking eye contact.

"How are you feelin'?"

The words came out OK although Alan had doubted that his voice was stable enough. Probably he had been rehearsing this moment in his head too long, that it came almost naturally. He had been afraid of this since the moment Don had joined the FBI. He had been afraid of it with Margaret before but she was gone now and Alan had been left to deal with it alone. He was almost happy that Margaret was not with them anymore and hadn't to endure all this. Alan silently reprimanded himself for these dark thoughts and forced himself to the here and now. After all Don was finally with him. He had done good. He had stayed strong because Don needed him to be, because Charlie and even Robin needed him to be. Now it was time to relish the company of his conscious son.

"'am fine."

Dons words were short and sounded a bit out of breath.

"I can call for the doctor."

Don seemed to consider that offer.

"No it's OK."

"It is good to see you."

Don smiled slightly. His fathers grip on his arm felt good.

"How long was I out?"

"About a day and a half. Do you remember what happened?" Alan wanted to know how much of the past events that lead here his son remembered.

Don furrowed his brows. Alan felt instantly bad for bringing it up right away. "It is OK Donnie."

"No. I remember. The others are all OK, right?" Give it Don to worry about others when he had a hole in his chest.

"Everyone is fine. They are worried about you."

With that Don's energy seemed to be spent for now. He threw a last glance on his fathers tired figure and then he closed his eyes to get some more healing sleep.

Alan Eppes watched silently as his breath evened out but he didn't let go of Don's arm yet. He took his time watching Don some more. His face was pale and a nasal cannula replaced the invasive tube. Some wires were hanging out of the collar of his hospital gown measuring his heart rhythm. A blood pressure cuff was on his arm and several IV lines were placed on both hands. He looked comfortable though and Alan could relax into the knowledge that he would be OK.

This episode definitely needed some gap fillers :) I hope to post a second story or chapter soon. Hope you enjoy. Comments are always welcome!