Title: Resistance is never futile

Rating: PG-13

Genre/Pairing: Het, Don/Robin, but focussing on Don

Spoilers: season 5 general spoilers, futurefic

Disclaimer: Not being paid, don't own.

Wordcount: 400 (4x100)

Challenge: April Rewind: Therapy, Resistance, Forgiveness, Support for lj comm numb3rs100

A/N: Thanks to Cha Oseye Tempest Thrain and krazykitkat for the beta. Any resemblance to real people is purely intentional.

Summary: Each time he resisted giving in, resisted believing what they told him, he got a little bit better.

Therapy

"One more."

Nick gently guided Don's knee back to the floor, extending the lower leg in the process until his feet rested neatly beside each other. The exercises had left him sweating and breathing as hard as if he'd been chasing a suspect while wearing a tactical vest.

"You're getting more movement. How did it feel?" The gaze was critical and evaluating, the jaw moving rapidly on a mint. The man ate mints like there was no tomorrow, blurring his words and making it a new language to decipher.

"Better," Don lied, trying not to wince.

"Okay, let's go again."

Resistance

The pain was not his enemy, the pain was his friend. Each time he resisted giving in, resisted believing what he was told, he got a little bit better. If he gave up, he'd never be able to walk properly, never return to field duty.

Robin poked her head around the doorway, smiling down at him. "Dinner's ready."

He stopped mid-exercise, his knee raised. "I'll be there in a minute."

"Just a minute," Robin warned, pointing a finger at him, before heading back to the kitchen.

He straightened his leg again and ignored the pain.

Just a few more.

Forgiveness

The giggles could be heard all over the house, rising in intensity the louder Robin shouted, "I'm going to get you!"

Feet stomped, little and big, heading in his direction. Sarah rounded the corner, still giggling like only a two-and-a-half-year-old could, running at full speed, and slammed into his right leg, hugging it like a tree trunk.

Pain exploded, shorting out his brain and leaving him leaning against the wall swearing loudly.

"Sarah, say sorry to Daddy."

Sarah looked up at him from beside Robin's leg where she'd retreated, tears forming and Robin's hand combing through her hair.

"Sorry, Daddy."

Support

The bed dipped as Robin climbed in behind him, curling up to him but making sure she avoided his leg and the pillow below his knee. Her hand came around his chest as she kissed softly at the nape of his neck, her breath tickling the hairs.

He felt the tears slowly leak out of his eyes, seemingly starting of their own accord. Her arm tightened across his chest as Robin silently held him, anchoring him in place.

A loud wail came from the next room. Robin moved to get up and Don stopped her.

"I'll get her," he said.

--FIN--