Don and Trixie, their story continued.
(Starting with Trixie, then Don and this is the third part, each story could be read on their own.)
(A/N: I have no claim to Numb3rs but only using the characters to spin a yarn of my own. It's all purely for enjoyment and to see what we can spin around them and with them. Trixie is my character and she belongs to Don. Enjoy!)
R & R appreciated.
Story beta'd by friend Marilyn
A/N2: This is the ending chapter. Much thanks for all who are following this story. Your presence is much appreciated. Thanks to my regular reviewers, you know who you are. Terima kasih, Thank you, see you all at my next story.
Chapter 10 - Close to home
Earlier when Don called David in the FBI office,
"Sinclair here."
"David, it's me."
"Don, aren't you on the ship?" David asked puzzled that Don should call him while on vacation.
After Don's call, David made his way to the Director's office and requested his permission to be on Don's case.
Since the Governor was involved, the approved and told David to get them all back to safety.
David then told Megan about it and Megan said that she was unable to spare anyone for then were all bogged down on some urgent cases.
"So sorry David, unable to lend a hand."
Megan was apologetic.
"No problem, I get Chin's team."
"Right, and keep me in the loop? I would like to know that they are alright?"
"Yep, will do."
David called up his team and some people from Chin's team and started the journey towards Don's location.
Back at the dock…
Shouts of "All Clear!" were heard.
Ignatius, Tom, Sam and Guy were running towards them. They had shot the attackers and most of them were writhing on the ground with the exception of the one nearest the police car. He was shot dead by Beer.
Half an hour before…
Back at the ship, Bill was walking backwards and forwards waiting for Don and rest of the gang to come back.
"Why are they so long?" he asked Tom.
Tom stood by just in case Bill wanted to get off the ship. He was advised not to but to stay onboard and wait.
"Beer did say it was a rather long way off." Tom replied.
"Bill come with me, we'll see better on top."
They both climbed to the top deck and after a short while, they saw a policecar in sight and further down another.
Suddenly three men ran out and started shooting at the first car. The first car swerved around and managed to know down one of the shooters. It went straight back to where it can from thus passing the second car.
"They are in trouble, Sir can you please go back to the secure room, I am going to help them."
Bill nodded and they both went down. Tom saw that Bill had locked himself inside and he ran to look for a gun.
He went to the gun cupboard and saw that the only gun around was Bill's rifle. He took some more bullets and ran off shouting for Ignatius.
They saw the shooters aiming for the second police car and another two came out from the hiding.
Tom and Ignatius starting shooting at them. The shooters realized more people coming hid behind some barrels. The barrage continued and Sam and Guy came running to help.
The two tried to run away but was shot down and the other two saw their comrade fell, tried to run but was soon down on the ground.
The bodyguards spread out to see that the shooters, they kicked their guns away.
By this time police sirens were heard.
Meanwhile on the crashed police car.
"Don?" Beer turned round to them.
Don didn't answer but he was slowly getting out of the car, he helped Trixie who was holding the still crying Rick out.
Don staggered and clutched to Trixie.
Trixie looked in horror, blood was flowing down Don's arm and the hand that clutched at Trixie was saturated with blood that flowed onto Trixie's arm.
"Don!" she held on to him with one hand while the other clutching Rick tightly to her.
Rick cried all the louder for his mother was suddenly clutching very tightly. He protested with louder wails.
Don looked at Trixie and with half closed eyes, 'sorry……' he whispered and fell limply to the ground.
Trixie, now with tears flowing from her eyes, looked around and cried out,
"Help, somebody help."
Beer came round, he was helping the police driver out of the car and was placing him on the ground. He was about to get to Don when he heard Trixie's cries for help.
"Hey guys, some help." Beer called out to his comrades who were standing around the fallen shooters.
Noises surrounded her and she didn't know who was beside her.
By this time, May and Conny and the policeman were running towards the scene. The policeman had held the two ladies back, didn't want them to follow Guy and Sam seconds earlier but the ladies were adamant and wanted to get to Trixie and Don.
Someone was beside her, it was May, she looked at her with gratefulness as she took Rick from her.
Beer had already seen to Don and he was covering him with his jacket, Trixie was on the ground holding his head.
Conny came behind and took Rick from May, while May helped Trixie who was holding on to Don, now in a semi conscious state.
"Please hold on Darling, hold on, help is here.
You have to hold on, hold on." Trixie kept on whispering as she held on to Don's head and kissing him on his forehead.
Everything happened in a blur, the ambulance came, the paramedics came and took Don away.
Trixie wanted to go with them, but Beer and Sam held her back.
Don was in a bad shape and needed to be rushed to the hospital immediately.
After getting from the paramedics the name of the hospital, Sam said he will drive her there.
Soon another ambulance came, the paramedics saw to Beer and the injured Police Driver, they were both sent on to the hospital.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know Beer was injured too." Trixie said to Sam.
"Were you all hurt? Anyone?" Trixie suddenly remembered, "Rick!, where is Rick?"
"Here, here, Trixie, bambino is here."
Conny came up with Rick.
Conny was consoling a wailing Rick and she and May moved a distance away, so that the noises will not further frighten Rick.
Trixie looked around, police were everywhere and she saw Bill and two other men running towards her.
"Trixie!"
"Oh Bill." She started crying as Bill came up and hugged her, "He was bleeding so much…"
"Come, come let's all get out of here, Sam, you take charge?" Bill turned to Sam.
"Yes sir, we will take care of things here, the police have all arrived. Oh great! Sir, the FBI's here too."
They all turned and saw three FBI vans coming towards them.
David took in the scene and his heart skipped a beat, Trixie was in tears, 'Oh no, not again' he thought.
"David!" Trixie was afresh with tears.
David looked over her head at Bill and he tilted his head and whispered 'Don?'
Bill nodded and said, "He was shot along with one of my people and the police driver. They were ambushed, that's all I know."
"I want to go and see Don." Trixie said.
"Right, let's get all of you out of here. There's still danger yet, since your…ehh.. the boyfriend's still at large."
After a flurry of instructions given by David to his people and Bill giving last minute instructions to Sam , they were finally on the way to the hospital. David took Trixie and Conny with Rick sleeping all the way to the hospital.
Bill suggested that he and May go in another FBI van with two agents escorting Bill.
David instructed that they keep close to Bill, for he may still be in danger.
Bill was alarmed and he turned to May, "May, I am not sure that you should come with me now that David's warning about danger."
May just shook her head and followed Bill.
At the hospital waiting room, Bill suggested that Conny with Rick and May stay in the nearby hotel while he waited with Trixie and David.
Bill turned to Trixie,"Trixie, I'm so sorry for all these to happen."
"Bill, none of these are your doing, you don't have to apologise, Don wouldn't want that."
"If I didn't persuade you all to come on this trip, nothing would have happened." Bill was very apologetic.
"No, Bill, we all had a fine time, this thing just happened, so I don't or we all don't want you to feel guilty."
Trixie looked at Conny and May who both had nodded their heads.
"Thank you all, now maybe we all should go to the hotel next door to clean up and wait for news?"
"No, Bill thank you, maybe Conny and May should go, I will wait here for any news of Don."
"No,we will all wait here together." May said.
"David, how did FBI come to know about this attack?" Bill asked.
"Don talked to me before he went to fetch his family? I requested for some backup to come here, so that you have FBI protection.
I should have arrived sooner but you know the downtown traffic at this hour, even our sirens cannot helped much until we had gone passed."
"Thank you, we were attacked earlier on and didn't think they would hit us twice in a short period of time."
Trixie gasped.
"That's why Don sent us to the Police precinct."
"Yes, that should be the safest place ." David agreed.
"Bill, may I have a word with you."
Bill nodded and he and David excused themselves and went out.
Trixie sat down and absentmindedly took Rick from Conny. She looked at him sleeping peacefully, she rubbed at his cheeks, slight visiblility of recent tears on his cheeks, she herself started tearing.
"Daddy protected us darling, protected us so that we were safe from the bullets."
"Is that how Don got shot?" May asked sitting next to her?
"Yes, when the shooting started, the front door window got shattered, Don was already covering us with his body. Rick was wailing with all the shootings, he's scared of very loud noises. I felt Don jerked. The bullets hit him, not once but twice, oh May."
Trixie was full of tears and May held on to her and she nodded to Conny, who came near to take the sleeping Rick from her.
"Oh! I have to tell the parents and ….and…Charlie…" she sobbed, "But I don't know what to tell them…"
"Let me find out first." May got up and went out. Conny took her place.
She was holding Rick, closed her eyes and started praying . She made the sign of a cross and Trixie whispered Amen together with her.
"Thank you Conny." whispered Trixie.
May came back presently, she said, "They are still operating on Don. One of the nurses who came out for more pints of blood, said it was touch and go for a while but assured me that it will be OK. I don't know what that meant, but I'm sure that word OK meant OK."
"Thanks May."
They sat for another thirty minutes and presently David and Bill came back.
David said, " Don's out of surgery, the doctor will come and tell you in a while."
"Thanks David. I..I need to tell the parents."
"Why don't I call them for you?" David offered.
"Thanks David."
"Good evening, I'm looking for family of Don Eppes?" A tall middleaged man of Hispanic descent came into the room.
"I'm Mrs. Eppes. How is my husband?" Trixie asked.
"Mrs. Eppes, yes, do we need to talk in private?"
"No, you can talk here, all family friends here."
"I'm Dr. Arturo, I operated on your husband.
He's now in Intensive Care, no, no, don't worry, he will make a complete recovery albeit any infection . He will be in intensive care for the night and tomorrow he will be transferred to a regular room.
My colleague Dr. Sandra will be monitoring him. "
The doctor went on to explain that one bullet had nicked an artery, thus for the blood lost and the other went in through his side and lodged quite near the lung which was also another dicey retrieval.
"I noticed the scars, was your husband involved in an accident?" Dr. Arturo asked.
David lifted his head at that question and said, "The hotel terrorists incident some weeks ago? AD Eppes was injured there."
"Oh, I see, your husband was one of those protecting the Governor?"
David nodded and pointed to Bill.
"Oh, sorry Governor, I didn't notice…"
"It's alright Dr. Arturo. I would like a very private room for Don when you transfer him out of Intensive Care."
"Yes, I let my staff know. Well, then I'll be off. Don't worry too much Mrs. Eppes, your husband will make a full recovery."
Trixie thanked Dr. Arturo and asked when they can go and see Don.
"Now, if you will ask the nurses' station for his room number, after you have seen him, I suggest that all of you go and get a good night's rest and come back tomorrow morning. Mr. Eppes will be out until the next morning. A Good day to you all." Dr. Arturo said and went out.
"Trixie, I will call your family now, do you want them to come now?"
"No, David, tell them to come tomorrow morning. Tell them Don is out of danger. Thanks a bunch, David." Trixie was tired and was sure she couldn't handle the calls to her parents, Alan or Charlie.
Presently Ignatius came up to Bill and whispered something to him. Bill nodded and turned to Trixie.
"I had Ignatius booked two rooms for you and the ladies. Your bags are in those two rooms, why don't you all go and have a rest there and come in again tomorrow."
"No, I will stay here, Conny you take Rick and May can go with you. Rest in the room, we'll see what happens tomorrow, if Daddy comes, I'll get him to sent you all home." Trixie said.
All the persuasion will not budged Trixie. She said if they don't let her stay in the Intensive Care , she will wait in the waiting room for Don to wake up.
In the end, the nurse brought a chair and a blanket for her to keep vigil at Don's bedside.
Trixie had the whole night to think, she saw Don and now she knew how much he loved his family and friends and will willingly give up his life for them. She knew that Don would not forgive himself if anything were to happen to her or to Rick. Don had protected them with his own body.
It was so unfair that Don was shot again, she knew she must do something.
The more she thought about it, the faster her tears flowed. She held on to Don's hand and put her head on the side of the bed, all thoughts begun to spin on her head, she knew what she must do.
It was early in the morning that Don woke and he felt his hand trapped under something soft.
He turned his head and saw his wife, his heart lifted. Trixie was alright. Rick? Where's Rick?
He calmed down, it must be early in the morning, surely Rick must be sleeping.
But still he was worried and he moved a bit and it woke Trixie up.
"Darling, oh Darling , you're awake." Trixie stood up and bend down to look at Don.
She held his face carefully and kissed him deeply.
"How are you feeling?"
"Not too bad, just a great soreness, not as bad as the last time." He replied softly, he looked around and there was only Trixie.
"That's good, you don't move, I'll get the nurse… what?" Trixie bend down again to hear what Don had to say.
"Oh, yes, Rick is alright, he's with Conny and May. Alright I'll sit here for a while."
Trixie sat down and they looked at each other. Don smiled and she smiled, everything was alright.
Don was moved to a special room and soon in the afternoon the family, that was Alan, Charlie, Amita and the kids came to see Don.
They had read the news about the attacks on the Governor and his friends in the morning papers, Trixie had called Alan bright and early just after Don woke and assured them that Don was going to be alright and that they needn't rush to the hospital.
Trixie then told them the best time to come would be in the afternoon, just after Don had settled into a regular room.
"Donny, are you trying to scare an old man to death? " Alan rebuked Don by hugging him carefully.
"This old bones cannot be traveling up and down too frequently."
"Sorry Dad, I'll try not to do it again."
That got the rest laughing.
It was a pleasant visit for all and Don once again wanted to get out of the hospital as soon as possible.
Matthew and Chantal called up from Switzerland and wanted to come back for Don but Trixie stopped them.
"No, daddy, it's alright, we do not want you to fly back. Don will be alright. I plan to get him out of the hospital in a day or two, so that he could recuperate at home, but I need you to do something for us." Trixie took her cell and whispered something to Charlie and went out of the room.
Don looked at Trixie, had he heard it right, he's getting out of the hospital?
"You are glad, Don." Charlie said, "you need not stay in the hospital, I bet Trixie had something planned for you."
"I hope so, I do not like to stay for another day longer."
Charlie stopped talking as Trixie whispered something to him and he nodded and she went out of the room.
"What was that all about?" Amita asked.
Don waited for he was curious too.
"Trixie said she wanted to make some arrangements and needed her father's help."
"Now, what is Trix girl up to. Oh hello, little fella where did you spring from." Alan was the first one to notice Conny carrying Rick inside the room.
The kids all went to Conny to play with Rick who was happy to see his cousins.
"Come away, kids, Unca Don wants to see Rick too." Amita said and she took Rick from Conny, she gave him a kiss and swung him a bit. She started to nuzzle him which made him very happy and started to gurgle.
"Hey Mita, Unca Don wants to see Rick." Charlie imitated his wife.
"Oh he's soooo cute, make more babies Don."
Charlie hor hor at Don who just smiled. He was happy with his family surrounding him.
"You want to hold him, can you?" Amita asked.
"Put him slowly on my chest, yes… that's it. Now Rick don't kick, now that's my baby." Amita had slowly put Rick on Don's chest, careful of his bandaged arm. The other bandages visible was at his right side, more towards his back, a big square held by tapes.
Conny handed a piece of baby cloth to Amita. Amita looked at Conny in surprise and Conny pointed towards Don.
Amita made an 'Oh' and she went near Don.
"Excuse me." She lifted Rick's head and placed the baby cloth on Don's chest and put down Rick's head.
The kids' eyes were following their mother's action.
"Oh so Rick won't drool on Uncle Don?" Michael asked.
"No, you dud, so that Uncle Don's hair don't tickle Rick."
"Hair tickle, tickle like dadeee." Michelle chipped in and ran to her dadee with her arms stretched out. "Dadee."
Charlie bent and picked up his little girl, "Oh you sweet dumpling."
"No doompling, Mich girl."
Everyone laughed but Michael chipped in,
"You are dumpling OK, eat more and you become a dumpling."
"No! no doompling. Dadee!"
"OK, no dumpling, Mich girl, daddy kiss kiss."
Charlie pecked Michele and then gave 'the look' to Michael that made him keep quiet.
Trixie came into the room,
"OK everyone, doctor is coming to see Don. We need vacate the room."
"Oh little fella, you need to go too." Trixie slowly took Rick away and Conny came to carry him but Amita beat her to it.
"Here, let Auntie Mita carry you."
"Oh dear, what's this? Charlie, I think Mita needs another baby." Trixie laughed at Amita rushing forward to carry Rick.
"No way, three's enough to handle. Maybe you two provide another one for her to play with." Charlie said as he saw everyone out of the room.
"What was that all about?" Don asked and Trixie knew what he was asking about.
"I told Daddy, it's time he pulled some strings for us at the hospital. He's the hospital's patron and he's done so much for the building fund. I told him I wanted you back at home and not in the hospital.
I told Doctor Arturo, I saw him just before he went on his rounds, he's the surgeon that operated on you, that you will be going home tomorrow.
He wanted you to stay on but I explained the situation to him and he agreed on conditions, but I told him that we will be having a resident doctor and nurses to take care of you."
Don looked at his wife and he knew that once Trixie made up her mind to do something, she will go straight ahead and do it. He smiled and let her continued.
"I know that you are glad to be going home and not staying in the hospital any longer." She looked at him and smiled, bent down and kissed him on the cheek and continued.
"That's what I suggested to daddy. He will talk to the director of LAGH and get the services of Dr. Chandra and two other nurses. They will take care of you and if need to stay in.
We have spare rooms.
Daddy will also get all the necessary equipment if needed.
Dr. Arturo will check you now to start the ball rolling. I hope daddy can get the clearance to get Dr. Chandra by tomorrow."
Don was very pleased and he knew his father in law would not spare any cost to do what Trixie wanted and he knew his FIL loves them very much.
The next day in the late afternoon, Don was sent back home to Matthew's house in an ambulance and was settled into the day room. There was only a hospital bed required, the rest of the things were brought in by Dr. Chandra and his nurse Sarah.
It was all settled, Dr. Chandra, his wife Mook and Sarah were on loan from the hospital to look after Don in Matthew's house. They kept a spare room for them just in case something happened to Don.
Don took a short time to recover, he was happy in his surroundings, his own place, his family around him.
Bill came round with May to visit a few times and Trixie hinted that romance was in the air for both of them.
David came up with the good news that based on what the attackers told them, they took the ship to the place to meet up with their 'boss'.
They placed FBI agents inside the ship and when the 'boss' got up the ship, he was captured with his people.
Case closed, David announced to Don.
During the days with Dr. Chandra in attendance, they had chatted, played chess and even card games when Mook or Sarah was with them.
Adrian confided to Don that this was the best assignment ever and he had to thank him.
He said he was more relaxed and had more time to spend with Mook for the past week.
He laughed and said he will be keeping his fingers crossed and that made Don smiled.
He then told Don that they will be leaving in a few days time. Don didn't need any nursing or doctoring anymore. He just needed to take care, not to do any strenuous exercises for another month. Take it slow and he will be good as new and time to make more babies with Trixie and Don laughed out loud.
That brought Trixie into the room. Don looked at her and thought that she was positively radiant and she was carrying Rick.
Adrian stood up and said, "I'm sorry to say that my days here in this place of luxury are numbered."
"Why? I am still in pain and I feel that I still need your service." Don played along.
"Well, in that case, another day or two we will stay for you my dear man. Ah ha, here come the misses and the little man. Can Unca Adrian carry you?" Adrian held out his hands to Rick who came to him willingly.
Rick was very familiar with Adrian, Sarah and Mook. He was happy with so many people to play with him.
They crawled around the floor with him, made him practice his step by step walking, playing squishy toys with him and Sarah and Mook got to bath him too.
"I take him out to the gardens?" Adrian asked Trixie who nodded.
They went out and Trixie sat with Don.
"Alright?"
"Yes, much much better. Adrian and gang will be leaving in a few days' time."
"Are you sure you're OK to let them go." Trixie asked.
"Yep, dear dear Trix, thanks to you and your dad, I'm very much better and I feel great. Still a bit weak but I feel great."
"Oh Don, I am so glad. Come on here."
Trixie pulled his head down and they kissed for a long time.
"I have something to tell you." Trixie whispered in his ear.
Don was beaming, he knew that's why she was glowing.
And so Adrian, Sarah and Mook left the Matthew's Mansion and promising to keep in touch.
Besides that Matthew had left a big bonus for all three of them much to their delight.
Matthew came back after four weeks in Switzerland, much earlier than their original plan to stay for two months.
Present……
A month after Don was shot the second time, Alan decided to have a thanksgiving party for Don. Rick's one year old birthday was coming up but Alan said let his grandparents celebrate that one for him.
He now wanted one for Don, to give thanks for Don's lucky escape.
They had invited almost everybody, even Bill's five strong crew/bodyguards.
Amita commented that next time Bill invited them sailing, she will make sure that she go with or without Charlie and that made Trixie and Megan laughed, and she added she will make sure to wear her sexiest two piece, which made them all whoop with laughter.
Larry was not too pleased to where this conversation was going, he asked "What's about men and abbs that interest you ladies?"
All three ladies laughed, "What's you three laughing about?" Millie asked as she came to join them at the barbeque stand.
"Oh no, not another." Larry walked away, muttering that he will look for Charlie.
Charlie, meanwhile was talking to an enthralled audience , the crew of 'MyQueen' /bodyguards of Bill.
They were Captain Tom Bell, Beer, Sam, Ignatius and Guy.
Charlie was talking about the probability of sea pirates along the west coast.
Larry found them near the Koi pond and joined in the conversation.
Don didn't see where he went but he knew that he will certainly look for Charlie.
Later while half asleep, he heard his father greeting Bill and May and telling them that he was out back on the porch.
"How's he feeling?" Bill asked Alan.
"Thank goodness, he's fine now, we are all so grateful that he was not badly hurt this time."
"I'm sorry, Alan that this had to happen."
Bill started to apologized but Alan stopped him and said, "Not your fault and please don't start apologizing."
Bill nodded and Alan told him, "Go through this door, he's just behind it. I think he's awake now, he was sleeping with Rick."
"On his chest?" Bill laughed.
"Yea, they are so bonded, father and son." Alan smiled.
Bill and May excused themselves and went out.
"Hello Don. Where's your sticky toffee?" Bill asked.
"Conny took him in for his afternoon nap."
May smiled and asked about Don and later excused herself.
"Amita and the ladies are by the Barbeque somewhere." Don raised his hand.
"It's OK Don, I see them." May said and she nodded to Bill and went towards the ladies.
Bill came nearer to Don and pulled a chair.
"So when are you going back to the office? May said the Director said anytime you feel like it."
"Hey, May's talking about me?" Don pretended to complain.
"Well sooner or later we'll be talking a lot about the Eppes family." Bill hinted.
"Oh that's great."
"Great that we will be talking about you and your family?"
"Oh… that too." And the both started laughing.
"Hey Don, since you are not going back to the office that soon, how about we really take a trip now that we know 'you know who' is in jail." Bill looked at Don.
"You're not serious!"
"Why not?"
"No thanks!"
"Why not?" Bill asked again.
"Thanks but really, really no thanks." Don said again.
Bill looked at him and saw that he was looking way across to where Trixie and the girls were, he looked closely at Trixie and he made a guess.
"Trixie's expecting."
Don looked at him and said nothing.
"No? So why not come sailing with me. You can take your whole family this time. We will have a jolly good time." Bill insisted.
He really wanted Don to have a good time this time.
"Come on this time, you'll be relaxed and have more time to make babies."
Don looked at him and started laughing.
Bill laughed with him, thinking that Don really wanted that.
'So you'll come?" Bill insisted.
Don laughed again.
The end.
December 2008