Thanks as always for the reviews :)
Title: Fragile Balance
Author: Cindy Ryan
pairings: Terry/Don, Amita/Charlie
timeline: AU season two
Alexis Kuznetov was delighted. They had arrived at his new home and his plan couldn't be running more smoothly. The text he had received just before he had reached the house confirmed that his next phase was ready to be set in motion. Kuznetov had always enjoyed the game of chess and now he just had to put the proverbial first piece in motion.
He entered his office and sat down behind the custom oak desk and turned on the computer. Alexis picked up his cell phone once more and sent a text. On the computer screen a live video stream loaded. The text sent all Alexis had to do now was sit back and watch. Don Eppes life was about to become a living nightmare.
A restless Colby met Don and Charlie at the door of the ER. Don felt his heart drop to his feet as he saw the blood splatter on Colby's clothes. He swallowed the bile that rose in the back of his throat. Don forced himself to focus on what the younger agent was saying.
"...no word from the doctor yet. They rushed the arrow straight to the lab as soon as we got here."Granger explained.
Charlie blinked in surprise. "I'm sorry did you say arrow?"
Colby risked a glance at Don and motioned them to the left side of the hall out of the way.
"Not the Robin Hood kind. It was made of black metal and about six inches long. The vial of poison was in the center."Granger continued as he leaned his back against the wall.
"Poison is becoming Kuznetov's a trademark."Charlie muttered darkly as he ran a hand through his curly hair.
Don nodded numbly. "Couldn't succeed with it in Vegas might as well try again."
Colby turned haunted eyes to his boss. "I saw the damn thing at the last second. I swear I tried to pull Terry out of the way. I just wasn't quick enough. I'm sorry, Don."
Eppes placed a reassuring hand briefly on his friend's right shoulder. "You probably saved her life pulling her out of the way as much as you did."
Colby shook his head. "I knew something was off. I just couldn't place it."
"I'm going to find out who's in charge and get an update."Don stated as he began to walk away.
"Don..."Charlie called starting to follow.
Don turned back. "Stay with Colby."
Reluctantly the mathematician nodded and remained with the younger agent.
As he walked down the corridor Don's thoughts were spinning. His emotions were threatening to overwhelm. Don took a few deep breaths in a futile effort to calm down. All he wanted was to find Terry and not leave her side. Don knew however that she needed him to be an FBI agent. She was counting on him to find the antidote if the doctors couldn't. With Kuznetov being the snake that he was Don had a sinking feeling that the medical team wasn't going to find an answer. That would be too easy; too quick.
"Can I help you?"A youthful voice inquired.
Don blinked in surprise finding himself standing at a nurses station. The slim red haired woman in Mickey Mouse scrubs looked barely out of high school. Pulling out his badge Don showed it to her.
"I'm FBI Agent Don Eppes."Don replied. "My partner Terry Lake was just brought in. I need to speak with her doctor and the head of your department."
The young woman nodded sympathy in her green eyes. "Of course, one moment."
It was agonizing waiting for the nurse as she placed phone calls and pages over the hospital PA system. Finally she turned to Don and he belatedly saw her name tag read Cate.
"Dr. Renner is Agent Lake's doctor he'll be out shortly. Abigail Watson is our health services administrator and she's on her way also."The nurse reported.
Don nodded grimly. "Thanks."
"There's a waiting room just down there."Cate pointed in the right direction. "They'll meet you there."
Forcing one foot in front of the other Don reached the waiting room. He pulled out his cell phone and called Colby to alert him to where he was. He wanted Granger at this meeting. Colby was good at keeping track of details. Don would be the first to admit that with the state of mind he was in he most likely wouldn't remember much of what was said today. Eppes had just ended the call when a cacuasian man in dark blue scrubs entered. He was bald and appeared to be in his early forties. A white mask dangled around his neck.
"Agent Eppes?"The doctor asked.
"Yes."Don acknowledged as he shook the other man's hand.
"I'm Doctor Paul Renner."The bald man explained as he entered the room.
Colby and Charlie arrived and Don introduced them.
"This is Agent Colby Granger and my brother Dr. Charles Eppes."Don stated as everyone sat down.
"Terry's being prepped for surgery."Renner began. "So I have a few minutes to bring you up to speed. I know how anxious it is to wait for news."
"Isn't it risky to do the surgery?"Colby asked.
Don swallowed hard and met Renner's gaze; waiting.
"Yes, but I believe she has a better chance of fighting the poison if her immune system isn't compromised."Renner responded. "The stomach wound itself is small and the procedure won't take very long."
"What's the progress on finding out what the poison is?"Don inquired. "I'd like to bring in the FBI techs to assist."
"I'm sure the lab would welcome any help you can offer. They're analyzing the remains of the vial now."Renner explained. "Unfortunately there was only a trace amount of the poison left."
"Can't they analyze what's in her blood stream?"Colby asked.
"The blood work is being run also. If it doesn't show up that narrows our search."Renner continued. "There are a small amount of toxins that dissipate that fast. Any more questions?"
The three men shook their heads.
Renner stood. "I'll send one of my nurses to update you as soon as the surgery is finished."
"Thanks Doc."Colby acknowledged as Don and Charlie nodded.
A tall thin blonde woman in her thirties entered just as Renner was leaving.
"Abigal."Renner greeted with a smile.
"Dr. Renner nice to see you just wish it wasn't under such grim circumstances."Abigail Watson replied as she stepped into the room.
"If you'll excuse me I must get back to my patient."Renner stated as he left.
"I'm Abigail Watson."The blonde woman stated as she moved further into the room. "Which one of you is Agent Eppes?"
"I am."Don replied as he shook her hand.
"Please sit."Watson instructed. "I'm the head of the medical department and I can assure you Dr. Renner is our best surgeon."
"The man who ordered the attack on Agent Lake is very dangerous."Don explained quietly."I'm going to have agents or LAPD officers posted by her at all times."
"I understand this situation is high profile."Watson acknowledged. "I assure you the hospital will fully cooperate with whatever you need."
"Thank you."Don replied.
"My security staff will also be at your disposal."Abigail continued as she pulled a business card out of her skirt pocket and handed it to Don. "This has my cell phone and pager number on it. Either is the best way to reach me since I'm seldom at my desk these days. I wish Agent Lake the speediest of recoveries."
"Appreciate you coming to talk with us."Colby commented as the group stood.
"Whatever help we can provide just let me know."Watson stated as she left.
Don rubbed a hand over the back of his neck as he glanced at his watch. "Okay, I'm going to call David and update him. Colby I need you to..."
A beep interrupted Don's sentence and Charlie pulled out his cell phone.
"Sorry, thought it was on vibrate."The younger Eppes replied. "Must be Amita."
Don nodded absently. "Colby get back to the office and get the security footage from the garage. If we're lucky we'll be able to..."
"Don."Charlie interrupted his face pale.
"What?"The elder Eppes demanded.
"It's not from Amita."Charlie explained shakily. "It's from Kuznetov."
Don snatched the phone away from his brother and read the message on the small screen.
"What does it say?"Colby asked worriedly.
"If you wish the antidote your brother will be the only one to unlock the clue to it's location."Don read outloud."And he gives an address in Beverly Hills."
"It's got to be a trap."Granger stated angrily.
"Probably but we don't have many options right now."Don replied hollowly.
Don handed the phone back to Charlie. He really didn't want to leave Terry right now. Despite what Renner had said the surgery was risky. On the other hand the procedure would take at least an hour and if they succeeded in gaining the antidote...
"Do you want me to send a reply back?"Charlie asked his fingers hovering over the phone.
"Yeah and I'll let the hospital know how to reach me."Don replied quietly. "Let's go."