7

*"Justice? Kid, you read too many comic books." –Ross Moore

Season 4, Episode 9: Graphic*

*The Next Day*

As the air fizzles and rumbles around Don and Colby, humming with the promise of more rain, they stand together watching dispassionately as the people around them begin setting up ready for the morning's press conference; blithely ignoring the ominous black clouds hanging threateningly above.

"Looks like it should be quite the turn out," Colby nods scathingly at the group of reporters at the foot of the main steps who were already squabbling amongst themselves, fighting over the best spots to set up their cameras with the clearest view of the podium.

"Are you ready to give your speech?" Don asks quietly, his brow furrowed with a mixture of nerves and contempt. It was well known amongst the other agents that Don Eppes hated press conferences but Colby found it hard to fathom what might have Don so worried.

"Liz helped me prepare my statement last night," Colby nods as he turns his back on the tense scene unfurling around them to consider Don properly. Colby was worried because Don had been acting cagey for days now and whilst he was respectful of the fact that Don was grieving, his strange behavior was starting to get well…it was starting to get weird…like turning the breakroom into a second office weird; in fact Colby couldn't remember the last time that he had even seen Don step inside his office since discovering Nick's body…

"Good," Don offers a small smile as he scans the crowd around them suspiciously, arousing Colby's own suspicions.

"Are you ok?" Colby whispers concernedly as they both step aside to let the lighting and sound guys in to finish setting up the mini stage that had been put together earlier, a small wooden podium and metal chairs sat expectantly at the center. All that was left was for the camera crew to finish prepping the stage and speakers, Colby had already been wired up with a small microphone clipped to his silk tie but Don was yet to hand himself over to their mercy.

"Of course," Don smiles again with false sincerity as he casts a side long glance in Colby's direction before looking back past him into the crowd once more. "I'm looking for Brandon and Robin. We are supposed to be going for lunch after I introduce you."

"You aren't staying till the end?" Colby stares genuinely surprised and confused at his boss and mentor. "Didn't you get in trouble for leaving the last one early?"

"Don't worry, I have it all planned out. No one will even notice my escape…"

"Ok…?"

"Cheer up Col, you're the star today. That was some good work you did finding the primary crime scene and this is your chance now to step up and get noticed for your hard work."

"It was dumb luck though, if Sally hadn't come forward and if Charlie hadn't spotted to her and bought her to me…then we wouldn't have the primary…even that was only found because of the sniffer dogs…" Colby shakes his head and shrugs off Don's compliments. "I didn't really do more than fill out a witness report and run after a couple of dogs."

"Nonsense," Don smiles as he places a hand on Colby's shoulder and gives it a reassuring squeeze. "You've been the one coordinating the case from the beginning. Any accomplishments by the team were the result of your order to pursue that avenue of investigation. I have every confidence in your skill and ability to find Nick's killer…there might even be a promotion for you after this case…at least then something good will have come of all this mess…you might even get my job!"

"Only if you cut out early and piss off the Director again!" Colby chuckles gruffly as he spots Robin and Brandon fighting their way through the press line that seemed to have doubled in the time it had taken Colby to blink. "Ten o'clock," He nods and points in Robin and Brandon's direction, pleased to see the warm smile that breaks through Don's sorrowful mask of pain that he had adopted in recent weeks. "Don't forget to get wired for sound," Colby adds when Don makes a move to throw himself into the chaos of the large throng of reporters clogging up the front of the small stage to make a b-line straight for Robin and Brandon.

"Don't worry, I'll get myself kitted out…I know that my ass will be grass with the Director if I don't!" Don winks at Colby as he ducks under the long shaft of the sound man's boom mic before giving Colby one last sidelong glance as the crowd of people shifts once more, swallowing Don from view.

*Meanwhile*

"Did we really have to take the stairs?" Kyle wheezes breathily as he bends over, hands on knees as if he was about to puke…he still might if his heart didn't stop angrily slamming itself against his rib cage. "They have a lift here you know?" He adds bitterly as Ian smirks, walking past Kyle to the buildings edge, he hadn't even broken out in sweat.

"You know, you used to be a lot fitter," Ian chastises gently as he drops the large case he had grabbed from the boot of his old jeep at his feet and kneels down to open it up.

"And you've always been a sadistic a-hole," Kyle replies waspishly as his heart beat finally begins to slow back to normal.

Sighing, Ian stops fiddling with the cases solid locks to level a measured stare of distain at Kyle making Kyle shiver nervously. "We just convinced this entire building that there is a fire in their server room…it would have been a little suspicious on their security system to see two firefighters using the lift, don't you think?"

"Fine!" Kyle admits reluctantly as he stands up straight, finally in control of his body once more as he begins stripping off his thick, heavy firefighter's jacket, gloves and helmet before joining Ian's side to examine the case's contents properly. "Wow-ee," Kyle whistles appreciatively as Ian grabs the contents and begins building the rifle with both speed and ease.

"Why don't you go check on the progress below?" Ian suggests irritably as he stops building the rifle long enough to shove a pair of binoculars in Kyle's hands.

"Of course," Kyle nods as he slips away from Ian's side to check out their target across the street. "They have the stage set up already," Kyle reports over his shoulder before taking another long look. "They must be close to starting. Ian! You should see the crowd of reporters! This is going to be the biggest assassination since JFK!"

"You know they caught the shooter of JFK right?" Ian replies derisively as he joins Kyle at the roof's edge, rifle prepped and ready.

"Or did they!" Kyle grins as he holds the binoculars out for Ian to take a look. "Besides, PR has you covered you know that. Your name won't even make it to the suspect list…so long as you hold up your end of the bargain…can you see him?"

"No," Ian frowns hard against the lens as he scans back and forth through the crowd of spectators that was now swarming the base of the stage. "But he's down there."

"Then you had best get ready," Kyle orders before stepping back from the ledge to retrieve his firefighter's jacket. Now that his body had recovered from the long slog up thirty flights of stairs, it was actually quite cold on the roof, not that Ian showed an ounce of discomfort as the wind rose up and battered against them. "The wind won't be a problem will it?" Kyle asks worriedly as he casts a glance up at the thick blanket of stormy black clouds choking the sky above, promising yet another buffeting of hard rain.

"Don't worry about me," Ian smiles weakly, a hint of sadness at the task ahead marring his perfect features. "I never miss."

*Back at the Conference*

"Judge Brookes? Judge Brookes! I think that was Judge Robin Brookes!"

"Mom, I think you're being called…"

"Just keep your head down Bran, we have nothing to say to reporters," Robin frowns disapprovingly as she ushers Brandon closer to the stage, where she had spotted Don and Colby only moments before. "Now where's he gone?" She grumbles as her purse begins to vibrate whilst the quite tones of Idina Menzel's 'Let It Go' starts playing softly, catching the attention of a few curious on lookers whilst Brandon burst into uncontrollable laughter, snorting at Robin's face as she begins digging furiously in her purse for her phone. "Who changed my ring tone!" Robin demands furiously as her phone stops ringing and flashes instead to indicate the presence of a new message in her voicemail.

"Marc thought it would make Gracie giggle," Brandon sniggers, not apologetic at all.

"Well you're changing it back!" She almost growls as she groans at the voicemail's content. She was supposed to be at work but had cut out early because Don had insisted on going to lunch and bringing Brandon along so that they could treat their son for improving his grades and getting an A on his physics test. Which was great and all but Robin was just a little bit busy right now to be flitting off to lunch on a whim. Truth is, she only said yes because Don ploughed her with wine and then finally worn her down later in bed.

"There's dad, over there," Brandon grins, still laughing as he points through the crowd at Don who is being fitted for a microphone.

"Ok, you go tell your dad we are here and that we got held up because of that fire opposite. I just need to make a couple calls and then I will be right there."

"Ok…take your time," Brandon shrugs noncommittally, suddenly serious and shifty looking, but Robin is too busy scrolling through her contact list to notice.

"I'll be five mins," Robin replies slowly as she hits the dial button and lifts the phone to her ear but as she looks around her Brandon is already gone, leaving Robin alone in the busy crowd.

*Meanwhile across the Street*

"I don't like it! The press conference should have started already!" Kyle prattles nervously as he paces back and forth whilst Ian sits peacefully ignoring him. "Well?" Kyle demands angrily as he passes Ian and snatches up the binoculars to look at the ground below. "Why haven't they started yet?"

"Do I look like a clairvoyant? It starts when it starts," Ian replies bitingly, an edge of annoyance pulsing at his temple, though it was unclear to Kyle if it was because of the delay or because of his anxious ramblings. "It'll start when it starts. Just be ready for it when it comes."

"That was very philosophical," Kyle states sarcastically as he bangs the binoculars back on the wall next to Ian's rifle. "Don't you worry I'm ready for it…are you?"

"This isn't my first rodeo Kyle. I used to do this for a living you know."

"Sure…in Afghanistan. Shooting insurgents is a little different from shooting an old friend in cold blood."

"Are you trying to talk me out of taking the shot?" Ian asks calmly, arching his eyebrow in mock surprise. "I thought you said that Management couldn't be happier at my proposal?"

"And they are…it's me who is questioning your commitment."

"Well don't. I'm committed alright…in about ten minutes you'll see just how committed. Once the deed is done you'll be my handler Kyle…at the moment hitching my wagon to yours is the only commitment that I am questioning. Now shut up and hold tight…I need to concentrate."

"You realize that in that little speech you both told me I'm in charge and to shut up in the same sentence?" Kyle pouts annoyed as he folds his arms and watches the people below. Standing there, watching them all like tiny ants…he felt powerful. It may be Ian holding the gun but Kyle was the one who had brought Ian Edgerton into the fold. Play his cards right and there could be a promotion in Kyle's future. So sting as Ian's remarks might have, he bites his tongue from saying more and waits patiently for the moment his life changes forever.

*At the Press Conference*

"Ready?" Colby smiles uneasily as both he and Don take their seats on the small stage to the left of the podium.

"As I'll ever be…" Don nods uncomfortably as he pulls at the collar of his shirt, his fingers itching to loosen the tie.

"Leave it be," The Director frowns disapprovingly from the other side of Colby as their public relations officer finishes welcoming the crowd. "You're on in a second!"

"…So without further ado, SAIC Don Eppes!" Michele, gestures at Don as both the crowd and the air rumbles with applause.

"Thank you Michele," Don smiles a small strained smile as he steps forward and stands uneasily on the mark in front of the small podium. "I would like to start off by thanking you all for coming out today…" He coughs to clear his throat as a flash of lightening illuminates the stage with a startling ferocity. "Five days ago on these very steps I discovered the body of Assistant Director Nick Callaghan…and today I am pleased to announce that due to the coming forward of a witness we are now another step closer to catching the party responsible!" Pausing for dramatic effect Don surveys the crowd, drowning them with a small, serious, determined smile. "This would not have been possible without the great leadership of Special Agent Colby Granger, whose fearless leadership I have no doubt will bring this case to a swift and certain resolution…"

*Across the Street*

"What are you waiting for? Take the shot!" Kyle practically screams at Ian as he watches Don nervously fidgeting at the podium turn behind him and point at Agent Granger, gesturing for him to join Don at the podium. "He's going to finish talking any second now! Take the fucking-"

The crack and bang of the rifle was as quick and swift as the crowd's instant confusion as SAIC Don Eppes presses a hand to his chest, blood spilling out through the cracks in his fingers.

"Done," Ian states flatly as he begins dismantling the rifle and fitting the pieces back into their slots in the metal case's foam interior.

"He isn't dead yet," Kyle frowns as his view of Don is obscured by the back of Colby who was currently trying his hardest to pull Don's youngest son away from the carnage. Feeling no sympathy, Kyle pulls his phone from his pocket and dials the number for Agent Finn. "Is it done?" He asks hurriedly when the other line finally connects.

"SAIC Don Eppes is dead," Agent Finn confirms grimly, his reassurance coming loud and clear out of the mess of shouts and screams from the crowd below.

Hanging up, Kyle turns to regard Ian, the master of masking his feelings. "It's done."

"I said it was," Ian confirms calmly as the first spits of rain splash down from the openly weeping sky. If Kyle had seen right, there was a definite edge to Ian's usual cocky smile as he ignores the heavy rain and walks back over to the roof's open stairwell. "We done here?"

"We definitely are done here," Kyle grins evilly as he moves over to Ian's side giving him a congratulatory clap on the shoulder. "Welcome to the family."