Disclaimer: the usual don't own em'. Wish I did, but don't. Can dream, but wont change anything, Can-well you get the picture......
Author's Note: I can't thank you all enough for reviewing, but here's a start: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!!
Chapter 6
Venting and....an agreement?
Donovan stood outside the six bedroom, Victorian style house. He was dressed in blue jeans and a plain white shirt and blue spring jacket, having just come from his home. He reminded himself to change before heading to work, no doubt seeing him the way he was now would cause his team to have a mental meltdown and then no work would ever be done. From the way he was standing one would have thought something sinister but it was just the opposite. A torrent of memories was threatening to consume him.
His father's job had been quite lucrative and Donovan had had a wonderful time growing up here. However these memories were now tinged with anger, pain, and a sense of betrayal at his father's actions. Donovan had idolized his father and had spent many afternoons dressed in his clothes pretending to be an agent. He couldn't believe that he was now here to confront him about his actions.
His mother saw him through the window and let him in. Greetings now over she went and got her husband, completely unaware of the trouble he was in.
Donovan took the time to observe the interior, it was nothing he hadn't seen before, and in the short time since his last visit with his children nothing had changed. In fact nothing in the living room had changed since he was a young teenager, well except the stuffed bunny on the floor that his daughter Allison had left behind on the weekend. His wife had searched their entire house four times, at Allison's request, and still hadn't found it, it was obvious why. Picking it up he set it on the couch by the window so he would remember to take it.
He had spent many a day behind that couch, using it as a fort when playing 'army' with his brother, many times when his dad was home he would join in the game, which would always end in a mock wrestling match. The table was still in front of the couch, with a candy dish on it for when they had guests, he had gotten into trouble too many times to count for stealing it- of course his brother had always been willing to help with that. Flowers were scattered all over the house and gave it a fragrant smell that served to calm, though it never seemed to work when he was a child. Perhaps children were immune to such things because it did work on his children either.
"How are you son? Can I get you something? A brandy perhaps?" Donovan turned to the voice to see his casually dressed father in khaki pants and a blue tennis shirt, taking a seat across from the couch and staring at him intently. Donovan shook his head and took his seat on the couch, barely missing the bunny. Anyone witnessing the meeting would automatically know how closely related they were. Nate Donovan was the older version of Frank Donovan, right down to the Nike running shoes.
"Do you mean how am I at work since you stole the disk or how am I at home, trying to think of a way to tell your grandchildren that I have to arrest their grandpa? Tell me which one you want the answer to? Hmmm maybe both. Well work has taken a dive because I'm going to arrest my father-and believe me I will, you taught me how to do my job and I will do it. I don't know how to explain this to my kids without them hating us both. The both of them are already asking why they can't visit this weekend. But how are you doing?!" Donovan was usually in control of his every reaction, but this time he couldn't help himself. This was his father and there was no real precedent for this and if he was honest with himself he'd say he was too involved and step down. But being honest with one's self was not a Donovan family trait.
"I can see this upsets you and I understand, but try to understand me and where I'm coming from. Benjamin took my life and on top of that made me less of a person. It would have been better if he had killed me that day, instead of letting me live like this."
"You always said that family was your life and work was what you did so we wouldn't get sick of you hanging around the house all the time." Donovan couldn't keep the hurt out of his voice, this meeting was starting to make him feel like he was no more than 14 and he hated it.
"Yes. But what he did affects my family. Do you think I enjoyed having your mother getting everything for me after the incident? There are still things she has to do for me, and as much as I love her and know that she doesn't begrudge me...I hate what this has done to me and my family. I'm asking you for your help-as your father, not as some criminal you have to take down. Help me get Benjamin."
"I can't, you-"
"They'll put someone else in his position within the week, nothing will be interrupted and the FBI will have someone more competent. It'll benefit everyone."
"How was killing other agents supposed to be beneficial? Some of them are my friends." Nate Donovan looked at the floor, shame filling his face.
"I never wanted them and if you help me I'll give you the disk-without looking at it or copying it. I used to be them, I don't want them killed."
Donovan, to his surprise, found himself actually considering his father's proposal and believing his plea. It was an inner battle that was tearing him to shreds and he felt physically ill.
"I don't know. You still have a meeting with two members of my team."
"You don't want them involved." It wasn't a question.
"Would you?" His father stared for a moment.
"No. But I need you."
"I can't promise you anything except that I'll think about it. However you will give me the disk." Donovan stood, taking the bunny, and waited expectantly at the door.
"It's not here and will take some time to get. I'll give it to your team tonight, when I inform them that I no longer need their services." Donovan searched his father's gaze for any insincerity but could find none. Nodding he walked out of the house.
Please review, even if you only say "I liked it", "I hated it". It'll really mean a lot to me :D
