You guys ready for an exciting ride? I have the rest of this plotted out :) This chapter's short but gets things moving...as always thanks so much for the reviews. :)
Title: Fragile Balance
Author: Cindy Ryan
timeline: second season AU
It was another twenty-four hours before Don was released from the hospital. That was only after threatening to leave without permission. There was nothing more the doctors could do for the ribs besides tape and pain meds. The concussion was nothing Don hadn't dealt with before. He was out of the danger period for that anyway.
So on a thursday Don was escorted back to the craftsman by a worried Charlie. Terry hadn't left the office for more than a half an hour at a time since the kids had been found. She'd stopped to check on him and Don was glad to see her and grateful for the updates on the case. However, he was worried she was pushing herself too hard. Trying to prove to the higher ups that she was worthy of being an agent. Don could tell she hadn't slept much and probably hadn't eaten that well either.
A tap on Don's right shoulder was the only indication that his brother had been trying to talk to him.
"Sorry, what?"Don apologized as they paused in the kitchen.
"Just asked if you wanted the sofa or your old room?"Charlie inquired.
Don shook his head. "Not staying long but thanks for the lift. I'll catch a cab to the office."
Charlie placed a hand on his big brother's right arm. "Were you not listening to the doctor? You're under twenty-four hour bed rest."
"Suggested bed rest."Don corrected. "Only if I have signs of a concussion which I don't."
"Not that you would tell me if you did."Charlie relented wearily.
"Charlie..."Don began but the younger Epps had already stalked from the kitchen.
Don sighed as he followed his brother into the living room. He knew Charlie was only looking out for him. Plus Terry had told him of Charlie's reaction to the expolosion. She was worried about him and had said pointedly that Don should be too. Too much too soon Terry had added. Which caused a fresh wave of guilt for Don. He'd only brought Charlie in on the case as a last resort. Don had no way to predict the explosion but knew watching it must've had an affect on Charlie. Don knew if their spots were reversed it would've killed him to watch and not be able to do anything.
"Charlie."Don called as Charlie paused by the sofa. "I know you're trying to help but I can't waste any more time."
"I know."The mathematician replied."And I know this case is important. I just wish you would put yourself first for once. David and Terry can handle things."
Don reached his brother and placed a comforting hand on the younger man's left shoulder."I know they can. I'll rest when we catch this guy. I don't want any more kids to go through what these two did."
After a long moment Charlie nodded. "How can I help?"
"Lets get to the office and see what Terry's got."Don replied. "Colby should be released tomorrow at the latest. With all of us this bastard doesn't stand a chance."
"I'll leave Dad a note so he doesn't worry when neither of us aren't here."Charlie stated as Don gathered his things.
Moments later they were out the door.
Terry glanced up in surprise as Don and Charlie entered the bullpen and shook her head. "Don..."
Don held up a hand gesturing with his head to his brother. "I already got the lecture."
"I can see it didn't work."Lake replied.
David poked his head out of the conference room door and smiled. "Don, you have great timing. We got a break on the kidnapper...just got a call from the techs. He got sloppy with that wire transfer account. He put his real name on the credit card he used to open it. We're tracking a last known address now and have an APB out."
"Who is it?"Epps asked as he, Terry and Charlie joined David in the conference room.
David pulled a DMV photo up on the flat screen. "Greg London age forty-five. Was an accountant for Hudson for years. He didn't like how some of Hudson's business transactions were looking so he went to the Feds."
"Let me guess nobody listened."Terry surmised grimly with a shake of her head.
"Gold star for the lady."David acknowledged. "Better business bureau looked into it but wasn't a priority."
Don frowned. "Still seems a stretch for a whistleblower to turn to murder and kidnapping but we've seen crazier things."
"Money and revenge are always a powerful combo."Terry interjected sadly.
David put down one of the bullpen's phones and turned to Don. "We've got confirmation on a last known address an apartment in Venice Beach."
"Good work."Don complimented as he took a small piece of paper from Sinclair. "I'll grab Ian and we'll head out there."
"I'll have a LAPD team meet you."Terry added. "Be careful."
"Always."Don replied as he left.
Alan returned home after running a few errands. He'd received a call on his cell phone from Charlie earlier saying that Don was out of the hospital against doctor's advice. So when he returned home some how Alan wasn't surprised to find a note from Charlie saying they were at the FBI. With a sigh Alan set the plastic bags of groceries down on the dining room table. His son was an adult and a stubborn one. There was nothing Alan could do to change Don's mind. He could only hope Charlie was up to baby-sitting. Moving into the kitchen Alan turned on the small tv. He returned to the living room and gathered a couple of the bags before waling back into the kitchen. As he did Alan heard the breaking news tone and glanced at the tv.
"This story just breaking out of downtown Los Angeles. Two corrections officers were killed in a daring escape of mob boss Alexis Kuznetov."
The bags of groceries slipped from Alan's hands hitting the tile floor.
No...
"Kuznetov was being transferred to a facility closer to the courthouse for his trial which was due to start on Monday."The young male reporter continued. "We will bring you more information as soon as it becomes available. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming."
His face pale and sweaty Alan leaned heavily against the kitchen island. The man who had nearly destroyed his family was free...
Don and Charlie were just starting to recover...this couldn't be happening. His sons weren't safe. After all the good they had done helping people they weren't safe...
Fate was not kind.
Regaining some of his composure Alan pulled his cell phone out of his jacket pocket. With shaky hands Alan dialed his youngest son's number. Charlie would be the easiest to reach. Alan had to make sure they were safe.
