Disclaimer: Other than being a devoted fan, I have nothing to do with Numb3rs.
Author's Notes: Thank you to my readers and reviewers. Unfortunately, my Internet connection has gotten a little unpredictable, so I can't promise when I'll be able to update again. Don't worry though, I've already written a few drabbles that are ready for posting, that is, if my computer will let me format them properly!
2. Phone Call
She stared at the ringing telephone, making no move to pick it up. The landline continued to warble its all-too-chirpy tone amidst the hum and bustle of the office. The telephone was a wonderful invention: connecting people across vast distances, relaying information in the flash of a second, making it possible for her to pursue criminals wherever they fled. But she didn't want to pick up today. Her stomach, churning since the morning when her youngest brother Matthew had called, twisted into an unpleasant knot as her phone continued to ring. They gonna do it today, Sis. They're going to tell everyone today.
She had spoken vague reassurances to her brother through the numbness that settled in her mind, It's going to be fine. It's going to be okay. Of course, they'll take every precaution to make sure Dad's going to be fine. Dad's going to come home and he'll be fine. Yeah, I'm sure. Don't worry about it, Matthew. Does Mom know? Don't tell Mom. Matt. Matt! Promise me you won't tell Mom, okay? Promise? Good. It's better if she doesn't know about it until it's over and he's safe. Trust me, she doesn't need this right now. Come on, you know what Aunt Megan said, she's under a lot of stress already. It's been a near miracle keeping her in the dark about this, and we need to keep her in the dark about this, okay? No, you can't…for goodness sake, Matt, just do it. Don't ask questions; just don't let Mom know about this, okay?
"You going to pick that up, Eppes?" a gruff voice asked from behind her. Catherine jerked in surprise at the sudden intrusion on her thoughts.
"Erm…" she spluttered, her hands twitching in a spasm in her lap. Her current superior looked at her with narrowed eyes, studying her for a moment before reaching over to pick up the phone himself.
"Beauvoire," he answered, "Agent Eppes is busy at the moment. I'm taking messages for her. If it's urgent, I'll see if I can get her on." He paused and then looked at her with raised eyebrows, "Give me a moment."
He held the phone out to her, "It's Acting Assistant Director Reeves from the FBI. She says it's about your father."