Here we go. RL has been a huge problem lately, as has an LOTR series I've recently begun. Sorry again for my long delay. Hangs head in shame
Disclaimer: Thinks hard Nope, still don't own it. Curses.
Dedication: This chappie is dedicated to Chibi Chingo, whose name I somehow managed to completely misspell in the last review replies. I'm sorry, hon…in my defense, it was two-thirty in the morning when I wrote it…actually, I'm surprised that's the only thing I managed to mess up. My deepest apologies. Hangs head in shame again,
Chapter Six:
Falling
The next time Don awoke, he was alone. It was a strange feeling, for some reason. He had had the feeling, even when he was unconscious, that there'd always been someone in the room with him. He gazed at the ceiling, computing the strange freedom.
"G'morning, Agent. How are you doing this morning?" Footsteps entered his room and a cheerful voice broke into his thoughts. For just a moment, he thought that the voice was Terry's. As soon as his foggy brain began to think, though, he realized that the face bending over his wasn't hers. Disappointment clouded his senses for a moment.
"Fine, Doctor." He replied when his brain could focus. "I'm doing fine. Do you know where my family is?"
"They were just here. Stepped out for just a moment at my insistence to get some breakfast. I'll have them paged now." She offered, bustling away to make the necessary call. When she returned, she began to hurry through her routine check up, running his vitals and adjusting the machinery he was hooked to. By the time two pairs of anxious footfalls began to sound in the corridor outside, she was finishing up. She drew back., "Fit as anything. I'll leave you for a while…let you talk to your family." That was all the explanation she would give.
In just a moment, Alan and Charlie burst into the room. They both rushed to his side, talking over one another, exclaiming over his condition, proclaiming their joy at seeing him awake. It was rare to see either of them in such an elevated state of excitement, especially Charlie. Don tried to separate the sounds of their words, but it didn't work. After a minute or two, he gave up and held up a hand for silence. "One at a time, one at a time!" He laughed; wincing at the pain it caused his bruised ribs.
He sat quietly as Charlie told the whole story, feeling as though it were nothing more…a story, something that had happened to someone else. He felt disconnected. When his brother finished, Don sighed deeply and reclined back into the pillows, exhausted from just hearing the details. Alan leaned over his oldest, laying a gentle, cool hand on his son's hot brow. "You're incredible, Don, you know that?"
His son groaned, "Dad…" He shifted his glance to his brother, "Charlie? Charlie, what's wrong?"
"Do you remember the time you fell out of the tree when I was eight?" he asked suddenly.
Used to these random changes in subject, yet wondering what that had to do with their discussion, Don nodded. "Of course."
"You told me in the ER that you were invincible. Nothing could get to you." He said softly, patting his brother's arm awkwardly. "I knew that you were just trying to comfort me. But, for some reason, I believed you. And even though I've grown up now, I think I've believed you all this time…. somehow, deep down inside, until…"
"Until I put myself in a position that even an invincible person couldn't get out of?" Don asked with an attempt at a teasing smile. Charlie's look told his brother plainly that he did not think this was a good time for jokes. Don rolled his eyes. "Charlie, of course I'm not invincible. I try, though."
"I know you're not. I know. But a couple of days ago, when I found out it was you I was fighting for…you whose life was on the line—and Chrissie, of course—it finally sank in that losing you was a very real possibility. You weren't my invincible big brother anymore. And suddenly…" Charlie glanced away, unable to meet his brother's steady gaze.
"Ah, Charlie, don't worry about it. It worked out, didn't it?" He asked, hesitantly reaching over to clasp his brother's hand, which still lay on the covers by his shoulder. Closing his fingers around Charlie's sent tiny pricks of pain through his bruised knuckles, but he didn't let go. "I might as well be invincible when I've got some crazy math nut like you covering me. Seriously, though, I'm proud of you, buddy. Thanks."
Charlie turned a fantastic shade of red before stuttering out a "no problem" and letting his father take over the discussion. Alan beamed proudly at his boys before hooking his foot around the leg of a nearby chair and dragging it to his side. He sat with a heavy sigh. "I swear, you boys give me more gray hairs every year now than you did when you were children. And that's saying something." He told them.
Don chuckled as another nurse came in, bearing a huge bouquet of flowers from someone in the LA Bureau. "Well, when we were kids, you just had me to worry about. Charlie here was always in his room doing some smart-kid-genius thing. So, technically, you only had half of the gray hairs then to worry about."
"Your brother gave me his fair share, too, you know." Alan said.
Don gave a weak laugh, then gave his younger brother's hand a light squeeze before releasing it. "Where did Terry and David go? I need to talk to them about the case…" He glanced around, as though they might come waltzing out of the shadows somewhere. Because of this, he missed the Look Alan and Charlie shared.
Alan answered, albeit hesitantly, "David is at the hotel, sleeping. Terry…went out for the evening. We thought it would be good for her to get out. Both of them have been doing nothing but work since you first woke."
His mind, already fuzzy with overbearing thoughts of this yet-to-be-solved case and the strange mixture of drugs he was on, struggled to compute what he was hearing. He didn't understand why his father had been so tentative telling him this. His friends deserved a chance to get out after a particularly stressful week of work. It wasn't until the blonde nurse made some obscure comment about what an adorable couple "they" made that he understood.
"Wait…she went out with someone?" He asked, cursing his voice for becoming so shrill and desperate.
The nurse looked horrified, as if she'd blurted out something she shouldn't have said. She excused herself quickly and fairly fled the room. Don looked at his family, forcing himself to calm down. After all, it wasn't as if he and Terry were dating or anything. "Who did she go with?"
"Andrew Templeton." Charlie finally confessed a moment later. Don sighed, but that was the most he could seem to muster. The elation of their small reunion seemed to have diminished severely with that one short name.
"How's Chrissie doing?" He finally asked, furious with himself for not thinking to ask before.
"She should be fine." Alan assured his son. "They're holding her for a few more days, but then they'll be taking her home." He seemed glad to be able to give his son a bit of good news.
"Great." Don leaned back against the pillows, finally allowing himself to relax. As upset as he found himself about Terry, he was really glad to hear that Chrissie was going to survive. During their shared captivity, he'd grown to care about the girl, and had promised her that he would do everything in his power to deliver her home safe. It was a promise that he had not made lightly.
"Sleep now, Donny. Charlie and I will be right here." Alan told his son, accurately reading the sudden drop in conversation. This sufficiently reassured Don and he nodded and settled back to sleep.
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"I think it would be better if he heard it from one of us." The voice was familiar, but through the haze of drug-induced sleep, Don couldn't place it.
But are you sure you don't want anyone else here? Maybe it would help you to break it…" That voice he recognized as his father's.
"Yes, I'm sure. He'd probably feel as though we were ganging up on him…too many people at once. I'll handle it. You two have been here for almost twelve hours straight. Go home and get some sleep."
"Hate to admit it, but that does sound good. I'm starving, too. What do you say to some pizza, Charlie?"
"That sounds fine, Dad." Charlie's voice was distant and choked up. Don wanted to open his eyes, to demand to know what was going on, but for some reason, he couldn't. He was too tired, too content in his dark world. He waited. "Are you sure you're going to be okay, Terry? Maybe you should come out with us, go get something to eat or something. You look terrible." Charlie finally added.
"I'm fine. You two go ahead. Really, I'll be fine." Her voice shook as she answered. "It's just been such a shock. So unexpected."
"Maybe we should stay. Or we could call David. I really don't want to leave you here alone."
"I'm not alone…Don's here."
Alan's chuckle met his son's ears. "I love him, Terry, but I don't think he's much help right now."
There was a sad smile in her voice when she answered, "True. But I'll be fine. You go now; get some sleep, some pizza. I'll call you in a while, okay?"
"Okay. Thank you, Terry." Alan's voice was grateful. Then two pairs of feet headed for the door, and after a handful of hurried goodbyes, they were gone. A third pair of feet, clad in heels this time, clattered across the room and stopped beside his bed. With a rustle of fabric, he knew she'd sat down beside him.
After a few more minutes of relaxing in the silence of his peaceful world, Don forced his eyes open. "Hey, Terry. How was your date?"
She winced. "Don, I promise to explain it all later. But right now, I need to…I have to tell you something." Instantly, against her will, her eyes filled with tears.
"Terry, what's wrong? What happened? Are you okay? Did Templeton say something? Do something?" He hadn't realized he was rambling until Terry held up a slender hand to stop him.
"I'm fine, I promise. It isn't me." The tears spilled from her eyes, running down her cheeks in a steady stream. The sight shocked Don into silence. He realized that he'd never seen her cry before. She pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes, smearing her once-perfect eye makeup. The tears left streaks of black down her pretty cheeks, and the sight broke Don's heart. "Oh, lord, Don, I don't know how to tell you this…"
Before he could think about what he was doing, he reached across and laid his good hand on her knee. "Just tell me. I promise, I can take it."
"Oh, God, Don." Never had he seen her so completely unnerved. His hand tightened on her knee. She gripped his left hand in her right, taking comfort in his presence. "Don, it's Chrissie. She…she had an allergic reaction to the drugs. She's in surgery. They don't think she's going to make it."
His heart stopped in his chest. "What!" He demanded severely, angrily. "What are you saying?"
She glanced up, her dark eyes full of sorrow. "Don, I am so sorry. No one saw this coming. It was so sudden…"
He pulled his hand away so fast that it made the bruises on his ribs stretch painfully. "Chrissie can't be dying. You're wrong, Terry." He wanted to say more, to tell her how wrong she was, but one look into her eyes told him that she was telling the truth, and that it was killing her to do so. He rolled his head away from her, aiming his eyes at the far wall to hide the onslaught of tears. One gentle hand cupped his, and a second turned his face back, forcing his eyes to meet hers.
"I'm so sorry, Don. There isn't anything they could do. She went into cardiac arrest." Terry plowed ahead, making herself get everything out in the open while she still could. Later, back in the hotel in a bathtub full of hot water, she would allow her tears to fall freely.
"Why are you telling me this?" He hissed angrily.
"Because…because the reaction she had was to the drug the kidnapper gave you to knock you two out. They don't yet know what it is."
"He killed her." Don said softly as the realization hit, almost as though he were talking to himself.
She nodded, "He killed her." She repeated. She seemed to suddenly realize that she was still cupping his cheek in her hand and drew away quickly, adverting her eyes. He didn't seem to notice, though.
Terry laced her fingers together in her lap, gripped together so tightly that the knuckles were white. "Mr. and Mrs. Baxter would like to talk to you when you feel up to it, Don."
"Bring them in." He said quietly.
Her eyebrows rose, that shocked-yet-not-shocked look she seemed to use a lot around him. "Now?"
"Might as well get through it. It will only get more difficult if I wait. Trust me, I've learned that."
"Okay, then. I'll go get them. Are you sure you're ready for this?"
"I'm sure." He nodded. "And Terry? Will…will you stay here? While I talk to them?"
"Of course." She answered instantly. "I'll be back in just a second." She gave him a last encouraging smile and strode to the door, gone in a moment. On the other side, she latched the door and leaned against it, composing herself before sauntering off casually, head held high, to find the Baxters.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo
EEK! Finally, the plot twist is out. Whew! And I know everyone is going to hate me for this, but it's necessary. I'm sorry! Flees REVIEW REPLIES!
Mliss- Don/Terry fluff was slightly overshadowed by the other stuff in this chapter, but it was there. Don't worry, there will be lots lots more later. Plot twist, plot twist…poor Chrissie. I'm afraid she was a marked woman from the start. Betcha didn't see that one coming, huh? Is quite proud of the shock factor Pretty mean of me, but it had to be done. Hides Don't worry, the sun will come out tomorrow! And don't you worry about the finishing issue. I'm a determined little daughter-of-a-monkey's-uncle. When I start something, I finish it. I promise. My updates might be sporadic, but they will come. Cross my heart. Thanks for all your encouragement. You make my day.
Jill- Ah, yes; tissues are our friends. And doggies and trash cans don't mix well, do they? I'm so glad you like it. Many more tissues will be necessary by the end. Oh, and the episode where the "first date" is mentioned is "Structural Corruption". Don's explanation goes something like this: "You know what my favorite date ever was? Pepperoni pizza in a Laundromat". Terry later reveals to Alan that the Laundromat date was hers and Don's first one. Huge grin Thanks for the sweet review.
XxBandGeekxX- Thank you. And don't worry, they'll get him…I think ;)
ollie-xox- Thank you…glad you like it. And they make a gorgeous couple, do they not? Swoon Ahhhhhhhh! Runs away from pet mongoose leave my toes alone, demon-rodent! AHHHHHHH!
Kimmilein- I know. Dinosaurs. Shakes head Who thinks this stuff up! Crackheads. I'm so glad you like the hospital scenes. As you can see from this whole chapter, I enjoy them as well. :-D I seriously hope you like this brothery-father stuff. There is a whole scene of just Don and Charlie next chapter… that one will be the real gut-turner. I hope you're right about the sketch...it will be very important. Blushes some more . You make me grin brainlessly. I always love your reviews. You're the best.
Teyla Sheppard- Don't worry: Charlie and Terry have a good brother/sister scene in Chapter 7. thanks for the date compliment…that was a fun scene to write! Thank you for the review. You rock.
Lour- And awake he shall stay! Yay! Thanks for the review!
Chibi Chingo- So so so sorry again, honey. Huge hugs Here's a chapter just for you to make up for it. Thank you for sticking with me so long…:)
Strangexbutxtrue- yes, I decided that blowing up cars, while enjoyable, is terribly overdone. That's why I decided to go with the riddle and the house. But alas! I have yet to blow anything up…cries That time will come…sooner or later. Promise. Evil laughter What did you think of my twist? Poor Chrissie…and poor Don, too! Hahahahahaha! I didn't even know about the shrugging conversation when I wrote this…I missed that episode. I must be telepathic or something. I'm special! Thanks for another great review. Your reviews are awesome.
Denaliyasha- Thanks for the review. Believe it or not, I actually did do some homework for this story. A new concept for me, believe me! Originally, the fact that it was Charlie in Pittsburgh was going to be vital to the story, but the plot has changed dramatically since then. I questioned a friend of mine in the police force whether this would be feasible in real life, and he informed me that if a certain specialist was required on a specific case, it was extremely plausible that he and his team would be transported, even across the country, to wherever the specialist's skills were needed—in this case, Charlie and Pittsburgh.
They say "pop" in Alaska, too? Awesomeness! I have been all over the continental US, and I was informed basically everywhere that this was a "Pennsylvanian" word and that nobody else says "pop"! I'm glad to hear I'm not alone! Thank you for your helpful questions and for your review and compliments.
detroitgirl- Thank you! Blushes again As for Don hearing Terry's confession…well, you'll just have to wait and find out!
Mliss- (again:) ) I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Hangs head in shame I've posted. You're an angel, Mliss. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. What would I do without you? huge hugs
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