FOR: Judy
Fandom: Numb3rs
Prompt: Don/Alan, Overworking, Tiredness
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Alan Eppes is considered by many a patient man. However, when it comes to eldest son, FBI Agent Don Eppes, he's slowly losing whatever patience he has. The younger man has been on the go for almost ten days.
Alan knows, because he asks, that his oldest is only getting a couple hours of sleep a night if he's lucky. It's starting to show. Don has dark bags under his eyes and, even though he's smiling and joking around, his body is tight with tension.
While Alan is aware that his son is an adult, he's also aware that if he doesn't step in, and soon, his son will run himself into the ground; stopping only because he's passed out with exhaustion. It's been this way since Don was only ten and decided that playing baseball was how he wanted to spend the rest of his life.
Since Papa Eppes has played this song and dance routine many times over the years he's well aware of what it'll take to get his son to rest. First, though, he'll try asking and pleading. If that doesn't work then tomorrow will hold another story.
"Donnie," Alan got his son's attention, "You look tired. Why don't you go upstairs and take a nap while supper's cooking?"
"I can't dad," Don gave the older man an apologetic look, "I'm just gonna hop in the shower then I have to go. Can I borrow a shirt?"
Don was already heading up the stairs and so his dad followed, "Don, you're overworked and tired. You can find time to take a nap."
"I really can't," Don pulled out a shirt from his dad's closet, "Can I borrow this or not?"
"Go ahead," Alan replied. He stopped his son long enough to add, "Come see me before you go."
"Sure dad," Don put in over his shoulder, already shutting the bathroom door.
It's barely ten minutes later when Don is back downstairs, sitting on the couch long enough to put his shoes on and talk to his dad.
Alan continues their routine by asking when he planned on having some free time to sleep. Don tells his dad that as soon as their current case was over he'd sleep for at least eight hours.
"You need to sleep now," Alan says firmly, "You aren't gonna be any use to your team if you can't keep your eyes open."
"I'll drink some coffee," Don gave his dad a smile, "I'll be fine dad; I promise."
"Donnie…" Alan started as his oldest got up and headed for the door.
"I'll find time and come over for supper tomorrow," Don shot the older man another smile, "I have to go."
Alan once again felt defeated as his son walked out the door. It was so much easier when they were younger.
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It had been two days since Alan had seen his son when the son in question walked through the front door of his childhood home, looking like death warmed over even more.
"Go take a nap," Alan ordered, hating seeing his son looking the way he was, "Supper isn't for another couple of hours."
"I have to get…" Don started but was cut off.
"The case is over," Alan glared, "You need to sleep, now go sleep."
"I'm fine," Don insisted, "I need to work with Chuck on a few things and then I promise you, I will let you feed me before I need to get back to work."
"You need to get some sleep," Alan replied sternly, "Damn it Donald, how do you expect to do your job if you pass out from exhaustion."
Before Don can even form a thought of protest his dad was advancing on him, an all too familiar object in hand. Don took a few steps back before managing to get his brain to work.
"Dad," Don was able to protest, "It doesn't work like that any – OW!"
Alan administered six heavy swats with the equally heavy brush in his hand before stopping and looking his son in the eyes, "The case is done. You gave your team the rest of day off and told them to come in after lunch tomorrow to finish their paperwork. I know this because I talked with David. You need to sleep so you will take the same time off."
"Dad," Don sighed, "I'm the boss – OW – would you stop that!"
"Sleep or I continue," Alan stood his ground, "Those are your two choices. I suggest you choose wisely."
Don Eppes glanced at the brush, "Good night."
"Good choice," Alan smiled, "Night Donnie. I'll wake you up for supper later."
Five minutes later when Alan went to check on his son, he found Don sound asleep under the covers.
THE END
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WRITTEN FOR: 5/20/11
WRITTON ON: 5/22/11