Hi there!
Okay,as always,thanks a lot for reading and,of course,reviewing!
I admit that I made a lot of changes,in order to be happy with this chapter!I hope you guys like it!
Also,I really want to be able to post more often,but,as I said,I have exams that unfortunately demand my attention...
Don't own Numb3rs(sadly) or the characters,blah,blah...
Enjoy!
Don would never, during his life, forget the day that he found his agent half dead inside that freighter, two years ago. The picture of his friend's pale face as he laid there, was forever imprinted in his mind. He'd looked so vulnerable and tired, even in unconsciousness. He'd truly looked dead. The senior agent had later convinced himself that people who spent five weeks in prison and have a lunatic injecting them with lethal drugs for the past hours, are supposed to look like that. This time, though, as much as he searched, he couldn't find an excuse.
The man in front of him, seemed old and tired, as if he hadn't slept in ages. Which he probably hasn't, that small, annoying voice commented.
It didn't matter, though. He knew from the start that he would have to try really hard to make things right. This was nothing he hadn't expected.
"Hey.", he tried to hide the pain and worry from his voice, "Hope I didn't wake you."
Colby made a sound, that Don received as an effort to laugh. "Nope. Don't worry. To be honest, I was kind of expecting you."
Not knowing how to respond the older man tried to start a light conversation. "Well, here I am. Can I come in or are we gonna talk from the door?"
"Sure thing, boss. Come in, make yourself at home."
Forcing himself to smile, Don entered the house and heard the door behind closing. Trying desperately to get rid of the sudden, irrational feeling of being trapped, the agent looked around him. The last time he'd come here, the place looked ordinary. It was obvious that a single, hard-working man was living here, but nothing had stand out. Now the first thing he noticed was the cold. The windows were wide open, allowing the chilly wind to enter the apartment.
"Man, it's freezing in here. Aren't you cold?", he asked, noticing for the first time the simple T-shirt that Colby was wearing .
"Nah. Not really.", the younger agent replied, at the same time taking something from the table. Don felt his heart sinking at the sight of the half empty bottle, which he immediately labeled as not beer.
"Want some?", Colby offered him the bottle.
"No, I think I'll pass.", his hope for an uneventful conversation vanishing in front of Colby's glassy look and slightly unsteady movements. "Listen, buddy. I wanted to talk, but obviously now it's not the best time. Why don't you go to sleep and we'll talk tomorrow."
"Come on, Don. Now it's a great time! What did you wanna talk about?"
Might as well give it a shot, "Honestly, I just wanted to see how you're doing."
Colby gave him a smile that in any other case would be enough to reassure him. "I'm fine, man. You don't have to worry about me, I'm a big boy. I can take care of himself."
Detecting the slight hint of anger, Don rushed to explain. "I know that, Col. No one said that you can't. It's just that…Well, Charlie and Dad and even Liz said that…", he suddenly stopped, realizing that he made a mistake, when Colby's eyes suddenly flashed with fury.
"Said what? You came back and the first thing you do is spy on me? Did you get regular reports on my behavior while you were gone as well?"
Don was pretty sure his mouth was hanging open. "Wha..? No, man, listen…I'm just worried for you and so are they. We…."
"I don't need your worry. In fact I don't need anything from you, especially your pity."
"Pity!", the conversation was already out of control and the senior agent knew that they weren't anywhere near the end of it. "What are you talking about? No one feels pity for you."
"Really? You should have seen your father or Charlie when they came to talk to me. See, Don, I know that look all too well. I used to get it all the time when I first came back from Afghanistan.", Colby was shaking and Don couldn't understand whether it was because of his anger or the freezing wind. Knowing that pushing his friend wouldn't solve anything, he took a deep breath and started talking with a soothing tone.
"Okay. Just take it easy, bud. Let's sit down for a while.". But it was too late for that. Colby was far beyond the point where words would calm him down.
"I DON'T NEED TO SIT DOWN!", he shouted on top of his lungs. He turned his back on his boss and took a couple deep breaths. "Just…Just go, okay?"
The broken whisper brought back unpleasant memories and for the second time that day Don Eppes found himself lost in the past.
"Donnie?", the worried voice caused him to raise his head. He was sitting alone in an uncomfortable chair, waiting for Colby's surgery to finish. Tim had left a few minutes after he arrived at the hospital, saying that he had to check on his team and asking Don to keep him posted. After receiving the news that the surgery could take a while, Liz and Nikki had gone to get some coffee. So now, he was just sitting there, sick with worry, waiting for a doctor to get him out of his misery. That was exactly how his family found him.
"Hey, Dad.", he acknowledged his father before offering a small nod to Charlie and Amita, who were standing next to Alan, holding hands.
"How is he?", his brother asked, not wasting any time. Don had called his father when he first got here, letting him know that Colby was hurt. But that was all he had tell him and now he knew he had to fill them in on the rest of the events. He stood up slowly and braced himself. "He's still in surgery. The doctors haven't told me anything yet. We're just waiting.", he drew a shaky breath, "Listen, guys, do me a favor and sit down for a while, there's something I have to tell you."
After a brief hesitation Alan and Amita followed his advice. Charlie however didn't move. "What the hell happened?", he demanded to know, "Did you catch the guy? He's the one that shot Colby, right? And where are David and the girls?"
"No, we didn't catch him. I don't really know what happened, when I got there it was already over. It looks like it was a trap. Mercer's place must have been full of explosion. The whole house blew up.", he looked at his brother and waited to see the instant realization. But the others were just looking at him with shocked, confused expressions.
Amita was the one who spoke. "An explosion? But I thought Colby was shot. What are.."
"He was. King said that someone opened fire at them and that's when Colby got hit. They got the shooter, but it wasn't our guy."
"What about the explosion?", Alan asked with a fearful expression and Don knew that he was starting to realize that something else had happened.
His voice was shaking as he mouthed the next words. "David and a member of the SWAT squad went to search the house.", his breath was coming out quickly, "It was all a trap.", he continued as if the previous events were only now sinking in. "It was all a trap.", he repeated, still unable to draw a deep breath. He started panicking. "Don!", someone shook him violently. He met his brother's terrified eyes. "David's dead!". Don's knees finally gave in.
And that's exactly where he stayed for the next couple hours. He was vaguely aware of Amita's sobs, of the tears that were running down on his father's face even as he was trying to comfort his eldest son. He could hear the pain in his brother's voice, as he held his future wife in his arms, whispering to her. At some point Liz and Nikki returned and tried desperately to get him to talk to them. He was aware of everything, but he couldn't bring his body to move. He had just come in terms with the fact that he would stay on the hospital's floor, frozen, for the rest of his life when he heard a new voice.
"You're here with Agent Granger, right?". Granger…He knew that name. That name meant something even in this mess. Granger.
"Colby!", he gasped.
"Yes.", the voice said again and this time Don raised his eyes to see a middle-aged doctor looking at him. He stood up in a fluid motion that made his muscles complain.
"How is he?", Alan took control of the situation, after casting a worried glance towards his son.
Dr Wilson, as the tag revealed that his name was, smiled encouragingly and answered. "He's out of surgery. I was able to remove the bullet and repair the damage, which was more than I would have liked. He lost a significant amount of blood, for which he's receiving a transfusion."
"So, he's gonna be okay?", Liz asked.
"He'll have a long recovery. As I said, the damage the bullet caused was extended. Moving his arm won't be easy for some time. That can be fixed only with physical therapy, which will probably be painful. He'll need a lot of support, but I think he's gonna be okay."
Hearing the sighs of relief, the doctor added, "I'm expecting him to wake up soon. If you want, one of you can sit with him, so he won't be alone."
Alan gave his son a soft shove. "Go ahead.", he said, "We'll wait here."
Nodding in agreement Don followed the doctor to his friend's room. Colby was laying on the hospital bed, looking so young, that Don felt a sudden need protect him, to shield him from the rest of the world. His left shoulder was heavily bandaged, forbidding any kind of movement. Careful not to disturb the unconscious man, Don sat on a chair near the bed and waited.
Half an hour later and true to the doctor's words, Colby started to stir.
"Col?", the senior agent asked.
Getting a weak moan in return, he tried again. "Come on, buddy. Open your eyes."
Colby's second attempt was successful and Don smiled. "Hey.", he whispered in a soft tone, placing a hand on his friend's good shoulder and stroking him lightly.
"Hey.", came the hoarse reply, "What happened?"
"You got shot. How are you feeling?"
"Getting shot summarizes it perfectly. 'M tired."
"Yeah, that's probably because of the blood loss. You're gonna be fine, though. Just rest."
"Mmm.", Colby was already half asleep. "Where's Dav'd?". Don's heart sank. He doesn't remember, he realized, not knowing if he should be grateful or not. But he knew that now was not the time. "Just go to sleep.", he urged the younger man.
But apparently, even in this state Colby noticed the lack of answer. His eyes opened again and looked at his boss. "Where is he?"
Desperate to avoid that conversation until his friend was better he forced himself to smile. "Don't worry about anyth…", he started, but was unable to finish as Colby's eyes suddenly filled with horror.
"No.", he chocked and Don could practically see the memories returning.
"Col…", he tried in vain to calm his friend before things got out of control.
"No.", the second sound was followed by a sob. The heart monitor started racing as the injured agent struggled to move.
"Colby!". Suddenly the small room was crowded.
"What happened?", Dr Wilson asked urgently.
"He remembered…His partner…He…", Don mumbled ,unable to form a complete sentence, but the doctor seemed to understand.
"Don't worry. We'll sedate him, so he won't cause any more harm to himself."
Two minutes later, the only sound in the room was Colby's weak sobs, as the sedative was taking effect, leaving him unable to do anything else. Don approached the bed and positioned himself so that his friend could see him, even in his half-conscious state.
"It's gonna be all right. We're gonna be okay. You're not alone, I'm here.", he whispered in a calm voice, squeezing Colby's hand.
With the little energy he had left, the younger man pulled his hand away and closed his eyes exhausted. His words were barely audible. "Doesn't mat'r. Just…Jus' go."
Don had heard these words before. Someone else might have taken the advice and leave. But he wasn't someone else and despite the fact that, later in that night, he would wonder if he had made the right call, as he was standing there the thought didn't even cross his mind.
"No.", he said with determination. "You will listen to me first. I get how you feel, okay? Trust me, I get it. But this here,", he pointed at the bottle that Colby had left on the table, ",that's not the answer. Just like running away wasn't the answer. If we want to get through this, we have to stick together."
"What if I don't want to get through this, huh?"
Don's shiver had nothing to do with the low temperature. "You don't mean that."
"Really! I told you at the hospital, it doesn't matter anymore. Leave me alone"
Don't say it, do not say it, a frantic voice was yelling in Don's mind. But it was his last chance. "You think he would have wanted this?"
Colby froze, his eyes flashed. "Don't..", he growled.
"You think Dav…". The fist collided with his jaw with unbelievable force. He stumbled backwards and reached for something to steady himself. He was trying to regain his balance when he heard a gasp of pain that however hadn't escaped his mouth.
Colby was on his knees, his left arm wrapped around his stomach in a desperate attempt to keep his shoulder still. He was taking quick, short breaths, struggling to control the intense pain. With his head still spinning from the blow, Don kneeled beside him.
"What? What is it?", he asked almost hysterically. "Your shoulder? Damn it, Colby!"
"I'm fine.", replied Colby stubbornly. Greeting his teeth he rose from his position.
"We should get you to the hospital.", the senior agent insisted, reaching to assist his friend.
"No, I'm fine. Please, Don, just go. I can't…I can't do this. Please."
The exhaustion in his voice convinced Don that maybe it was enough for one day. "You'll be okay?"
Getting a nod in response, he made his way to the door and, glancing one last time at his friend, exited the house. It wouldn't be long before he understood what a terrible mistake that was.
"Hey, boss.". Nikki was the first to greet him the next morning, when he reached the FBI one hour later than usual. "Long night?", she added when she saw the angry bruise on his face.
"You could say that.", he sighed, "Where are the others?"
"Liz went to grab some files from LAPD and I don't know where Granger is. Usually, he's the first one here. Maybe he overslept."
"Maybe…", Don walked away, trying to accept Nikki's explanation.
2 hours later
"Call him again!", Eppes barked again.
"I did. He's not answering his cell or at home.". Nikki replied, trying very hard to hide her annoyance. "Calm down. I sent Liz to his place, she should be there any minute now."
Miraculously, her desk phone ringed that exact moment. By the time she reached to pick it up, Don was already talking. "Yeah. Eppes."
It wasn't hard to understand that he didn't hear what he wanted. "What do you mean he's not answering! Just get in….I don't care. Break the door down. Now!"
Nikki looked at her boss incredulously, but he seemed to be completely serious. Apparently Liz agreed with him, because the next second a loud crash was heard over the phone.
They both waited, frozen like statues. Suddenly Don tensed and pressed the phone to his ear. Unable to hear what her partner was saying, Nikki waited for Don's reaction, to give her a clue on what was happening.
She wasn't one to worry easily, but she was sure that the horror that appeared in Don's eyes couldn't be a good sign.
Long flashback,I know..I thought of splitting it in two,but I liked better that 's probably one more left!
To be honest,that wasn't how I planned to finish the chapter!Originally,I had one more sentence,explaining what Liz found!But a little cliff hanger never hurt anyone,so...
Thanks for reading and please,let me know what you think!
:)
