Title: Making plans
Series: LN (Living Nightmare) 7/?
Word count: 720 words
Rating: G
Spoilers: Any episode of Numb3rs maybe talked about.
Pairings: Colby/Charlie, Don, David, Megan, Alan, and OC's
Summary: Does Michelle agree to stay?
Disclaimer: I do not own Numb3rs, people, places, or things you know.
A/N: Parts of this story has them OOC and AU.
Beta: Paranoid woman, Mia-dcwut, and myself.
LN
End of Chapter six: Staying
"Don, can you help me for a minute please?" Alan asked after hearing her answer. Don holding tight to Rae followed his father into the kitchen as Michelle rejoined her mother in the bathroom.
"Donnie, you can't just let this family go on the run again. What will happen if they are found? These kids need food and time to heal. One of them asked if they could use the restroom Donnie. No one should have to ask permission for that." Rae closed her eyes and looped her young arms tightly around Don's shoulders.
"Dad, I can't make them stay."
"I'm not asking you to. I'm asking that you encourage her to stay close by or even here for a few days. At least until you can find some way that we can help them."
"Dad, from what we have found out today. The men who took Michelle and her family are deep into things. By the way she has been acting I would say that she feels as though she is putting our lives in danger by being here."
"Donnie, our lives are always in danger no matter who is and isn't here."
"I will talk to her. I make no promises. It will be hard to get them into protective custody with what little we have right now."
"Talk with her then. Get her to stay here for a few days. Charlie and you guys may have to go to work but, I can stay." Seeing that his father's mind was made up Don did the only thing he could do. He agreed with his father.
"Rae, we need to talk to your mother." Don left the kitchen as Alan called everyone to the table to eat.
Chapter seven: Making plans
"Michelle you look like the wind could blow you over. Did you get any real rest today?" Don asked standing to her right as she looked deep into the pond.
"I got some rest today." Came her short reply.
"Michelle, we checked with the DC office. They are giving us your case. At this time no one but, my team and the agent we spoke with knows where you are. If you would like we can place your family into a safe house until we find out more about your case." Don's eyes not leaving her face as he spoke.
"Charlie and Dad have also said you and your family can stay here for as long you need. You are not alone any longer." This time Don cast his eyes on the child in his arms as he waited for her response.
"Agent Eppes your family and team have done too much for us as it is. We cannot impose any longer on your lives."
"You are not imposing in our lives! If you run now you will be running for the rest of your lives? Is that the kind of live you want for Rae and the other kids? Always being on the run? Never knowing how it feels to be safe to not have to hide from the bad men?" He watched Michelle stand ridged beside him and felt Rae's hold on him grow stronger.
"What is the real reason you won't stay here? You know that we are not going to hurt you. No one has come looking for you today. For now what would it hurt to keep a roof over the kids head and food in their stomachs?" Don asked walking to stand in front of her still holding Rae tight to him.
"Will you stay with me?" Rae whispered.
"Will I do what Rae?" He asked looking down to her waiting on her to repeat herself.
"She wants to know if you're staying here tonight as well as us." As soon as the words left her mouth Michelle found herself looking up into the smiling face of one Agent Don Eppes.
"Does that mean you're staying?"
"The children's safety is more important at this moment then getting away. For right now we will stay. But, the first sign of trouble we will leave. No questions asked!" Having made her point Michelle, Don, and Rae joined the families for diner.
At dinner Don quickly noticed that Rae would rather eat off of her mother and his plates instead of having one of her own. The dinner was simple but, with many different types of pasta that Alan had spent most of his day making. After the table was cleared and the dishes done by Michelle and her family as a thank you the kids once again took a bath before heading to bed.
It was going on ten when Colby made his way into the living room. He and Charlie had been talking out back for the last hour.
"Is she asleep?" Colby softly asked as he and Charlie joined Don.
"Mostly, Michelle is taking a quick shower."
"I take it you're staying tonight?" Colby asked nodding towards the bed made up on the couch.
"Thank you Agent Eppes." Michelle spoke entering the living room.
"You're welcome. She looks so peaceful when she's asleep." Don whispered handing her the soundly sleeping child.
"Michelle, Charlie and I will be down the hall from you on the right. Alan's room is down on the left. Your mom and the other three kids will be right across the hall from you and Rae. Don will be down here on the couch. The windows all lock from the inside and the doors are dead bolts. Your family and you can truly rest tonight." Colby told her as he and Don unlocked and locked the door and windows in the living room.
A/N: Thank you for the reviews! It means a lot to me to hear what you think. Any and All honest feedback is welcome.
What happens in the morning? What is Alan's next step to help them and why?
