Author: Lorrie Ellis
Email: The following story is based on the characters of the TV Series "Numb3rs". The characters belong to the creators of the series and CBS (I assume), but the story is mine. ALL DISCLAIMERS APPLY. (No copyright infringement is intended.)
Note from the authors: I have written over 50 posted fanfiction stories, but this is my first for "Numb3rs". I welcome all reviews.
"The Connection"
By: Lorrie Ellis
Chapter 1 – Better to Have Loved and Lost . . .
"So, who is she, Don?" Charlie asked as he sat down next to his brother in the living room after storing his hiking gear in the garage.
"Who's who?" Don replied, his eyes never leaving the newspaper.
Charlie threw another part of the newspaper towards his brother. "You know who."
Don quickly threw down the paper and glared at his brother before letting a smile break across his face. "Why do you want to know?"
"Hmm." Charlie mused. "It's interesting that you chose that question. You know the question: (Why do you want to know?) is usually asked in response to a question when someone doesn't really want to answer the original question." Charlie paused. "You wouldn't be trying to avoid my original question, would you?"
"And what was your original question?" Don asked, shaking his head.
"Ah, good, you're both here." Alan Epps observed as he came through the front door. "I could use a little help with the groceries."
Charlie eyed Don for a moment. "I have papers to grade." He said, quickly standing.
"Oh no you don't. It's your turn." Don replied, placing himself between his younger brother and his only escape route through the kitchen.
"That may be, but . . ." Charlie started.
"Both of you would be nice." Alan called out from the front porch.
The brothers eyed each other for a moment and then stepped outside to help their father with the groceries.
"I hope you two are hungry. The market was running a special on lamb, so I bought enough for us and maybe a guest or two . . ." He said, eyeing Don.
"What?" Don asked, innocently.
"Oh, nothing son. I was just suggesting that if there's someone you might like to invite over tonight, you know, for dinner, then it would be fine . . . since we have so much food and all."
Don stared at his father for a moment, slightly unsettled that his family knew, or at least had an idea that he was seeing someone. "I can't tonight, dad. I have plans."
"Well, can't you alter them a little? I mean, Charlie has invited Amita and Larry over. I thought that you might . . ."
Don interrupted. "What, like to invite Megan, David and Colby over?"
Alan turned his attention back to the trunk of the car. "Well, that's not exactly what I had in mind, but if that's who you'd like to invite, then . . ."
"I'm joking dad. Like I said, I have plans for tonight. Keep a plate for me though, OK?" He looked at his watch. "Look, I've got to go back to my apartment and get ready. I'll catch you guys later."
Alan and Charlie both watched as Don made his way to his SUV, started it up and back out of the driveway.
"What do you think?" Charlie asked.
Alan shook his head. "I don't know what to think. He didn't talk to you while you were hiking?"
Charlie shook his head.
Don stood in front of the bathroom mirror, shaving. He stopped short when he heard himself humming, something he didn't often do. He didn't try to suppress the grin that came across his face and continued to shave.
After he dressed, he again stood in front of the mirror, trying to tame his hair. "Geez, shoulda got a hair cut today." He lamented as he added a little styling gel, a trick he had picked up from Charlie. "There, not so bad." He stood admiring himself, then quickly looked around the room to assure himself that no one was around to see. "I must be loosing it. When have I ever let a girl get me this worked up?" He smiled again. "But then again, Lisa isn't just any girl."
His mind drifted back two months when he had first met her in Merrick's office. She was bringing in a few files from the D.A.'s office to assist Don with his current case. He was just leaving Merrick's office after briefing him on his team's progress. His mind was on the case and hers apparently drifting and the two literally ran into each other.
"Oh, excuse me!" Lisa exclaimed as she bent to retrieve the files.
Don knelt to help her. "No, I'm the one who should apologize. I guess my mind was elsewhere." He said as his eyes drank in her beauty.
"No," she said. "I'm such a clutz. I think these files are supposed to go to some hot shot Fed and now I've probably got them all mixed up and . . ."
Don smiled as he stood and handed her the file he had pieced back together. "I don't think the 'hot shot' Fed will mind at all if the files are a little mixed up."
Lisa blushed. "You mean . . . you're . . . Agent Eppes?"
Don held out his hand. "Yes, but why don't you call me Don."
She met his hand with hers. "Lisa. Lisa Tansley."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Lisa Tansley."
She continued to blush. "No, the pleasure is mine Agent Eppes, I mean, Don."
She held the files close to her. "I guess I had better take these to Agent Merrick."
"Why don't I join you?"
Don held the door for her and the two sat through Merrick's review of the D.A.'s information. "It's all yours Don." He said, handing the files to him.
"And Ms. Tansley, thank you for bringing them over so quickly."
As they left the office, Don held the door for her. "Ah, Lisa, would you, I mean, if you're not married, scratch that, I mean, if you're not seeing anyone . . . (geez this sounds lame) Would you like to have dinner sometime?"
She shyly smiled. "I would love to . . . Don." She paused and pulled out a pen and paper. "Here's my number, give me a call."
Don took the number and put it in his wallet. "I will." As they went their separate ways, he turned and watched her walk out the door of the Federal Building. "I certainly will."
Just as Don was reaching for his keys, his phone rang. He closed his eyes and let his head fall, knowing that if he answered the call, he would have to cancel his date, but if he didn't . . .
"Eppes."
"Don, Meagan. There's been a shooting at the D.A.'s office. Merrick wants us on this now."
Don felt his hands begin to sweat, somehow already knowing the answer to the question he was about to ask. "Megan, who's the victim?"
"The D.A.'s secretary, Lisa Tansley." Megan replied.
Don felt his phone slip from his hand as memories of the last two months he had spent with Lisa filled his mind.
"Don! Don, what's wrong? Don, answer me!" He was vaguely aware of Megan's voice over the discarded phone as he ran from his apartment, leaving the door wide open.
The crime scene was just being taped off by L.A.P.D. as David caught the concerned look on Megan's face. "What is it?" He asked.
"Don. I called him and was telling him about the shooting." Megan stated
"And . . ." David asked.
"It sounded like he dropped the phone. He asked who the victim was and when I told him . . ."
"David, Megan, you need to see this." Colby called from one of the desks.
Megan's face flushed when she saw the two snapshots on Lisa Tansley's desk, both of Don and Lisa in a loving embrace.
"That explains why he dropped the phone." David said solemnly.
Megan nodded. "I knew he was seeing someone, but I don't think he had told anyone who she was."
"So, this is the relationship that's had him on cloud nine for the past two months?" Colby asked.
Megan nodded again. "Was. This was the relationship that's had him on cloud nine for the past two months. This was the first real relationship he's had in a long time and I can't begin to imagine what this is going to do to him."
"Try his phone again." David said.
Megan dialed Don's cell phone again. She shook her head. "Nothing."
"How about his home number?" Colby suggested.
The phone rang several times before Megan hung up. "No answer."
"Maybe I should call his dad and Charlie." Megan stated.
David nodded. "Let them know what's going on. They might have some suggestions as to where he might go . . ." David paused as Don's Suburban pulled up to the curb. "Never mind. He's here."
"Don, you shouldn't be here." Megan said softly as she touched his arm.
Don shook off her touch. "Where else would I be, Megan? I mean, I'm sure you guys have figured it out by now. I'm pretty sure you know that Lisa and I were dating and that she actually meant something to me."
"That's exactly why you can't work this case Don." Megan prodded on as she followed him inside the office. Don quickly caught sight of the Coroner's office bagging Lisa's body. He shot an angry glance at his team. "What, you've already called the Coroner? This is a crime scene people! I need everybody out. NOW!"
Megan nodded and the two Coroner's gently laid the body bag down and exited the office, as did the Forensics team, leaving only Don and his team. He could feel them staring at him as he knelt by the body bag, the bag that contained the woman he loved.
"Don . . ." Megan started.
"You know what, I don't need to be read right now Megan. I want all of you out!"
"Don, you know we can't do that." David said softly.
Realization hit Don like a ton of bricks. "What, you're considering me a suspect?"
"No . . . well, yes, but Don, this has to be by the books, you know that." David rationalized.
"We were supposed to go out tonight." Don could feel the tears welling up as he spoke to David who had waved off Colby and Megan, giving Don a chance to speak freely with only himself.
"Tell me about her Don."
Don explained how they had met and how long they had been dating. "David, I could never, ever have hurt her." He looked up, allowing his eyes to meet David's. "I loved her." Tears streamed down his face.
David placed his hand on Don's shoulder and nodded. "I'm so sorry, Don. I'm even more sorry that I have to ask you these questions, but . . ."
Don nodded. "I know." He looked around the office, scanning for anything that was out of place. "Any idea on the time of death?"
"About 5:00 p.m." David said, reviewing his notes. "Don, where were you . . ."
"I was with Dad and Charlie." Don paused, looking up to the ceiling. "Charlie and I went hiking this morning and got back to his house around three or so. Dad came in from the market around four-thirty and we helped him get the groceries in and I went back to my place to get ready. It was after 5:00 when I left Dad and Charlie."
David nodded. "I'm glad you have an alibi."
Don scoffed. "Yeah, me too. At least now, you guys can leave me out of the equation and find out who the real killer is." He allowed his eyes to close momentarily and then gently pulled down the zipper of the body bag.
David laid his hand over Don's. "Don, you really don't want to do that. She was shot at close range and her face is pretty messed up." Don's hand went limp and David could tell by the shaking of his body that his usually well composed boss was crying. "Come on, let me take you home."
Don allowed David to lead him outside, his hand still resting on Don's shoulder. "The Suburban's out front." Don said weakly.
"Yeah, we'll get it later. You're in no shape to drive." He opened the door of his car and watched Don get in. He could see that the Agent's grief was beginning to have a physical effect on him.
"You taking him home?" Megan asked.
David nodded. "I'll call Charlie and Mr. Eppes and let them know what's going on. I'm sure they'll want to keep a check on him."
"Take care of him, David." Megan called out as David climbed into his car and pulled away from the building.
TBC