Chances
Author: Dragon's Daughter 1980
Spoilers: Season 1
Pairing: Don/Terry
Disclaimer: CBS has ownership over Numb3rs. That being said, I'm just borrowing the cast for my own enjoyment and I promise to return all characters unharmed.
Author's Note: Thank you to all my readers! Just one more chapter and an epilogue to go.
FBI Parking Lot
Quantico, Virginia
(8:54 AM, Local Time)
"Terry, you sure about this?" asked Jasmine after she turned off the ignition. "I really think that Meeker would want you to be resting." Terry nodded firmly as she undid her seatbelt.
"Yes," she answered confidently. "I have been resting. Meeker said that I could go back to desk duty after a week. It's been a week, and staying indoors has pretty much driven me stir-crazy, since I know there's a pile of paperwork that I could be working on." Jasmine didn't smile at her friend's attempt at a joke. Terry sighed, "Honestly, Jasmine, I want things to be back to normal. Even though I can't go out into the field, I need to be doing something. I can't just sit around all day."
Jasmine nodded, "All right. Just checking. But," she looked sternly at Terry, "the moment you get tired, you're telling me or Carl, understand?"
"Promise," she agreed reluctantly. Then she glanced at the car clock. "Jasmine, if you want to be in time for the morning briefing, you'd better leave now. And you know that I can walk by myself now," Terry added, seeing her friend's concerned look. "Go."
"Okay," Jasmine reluctantly handed her car keys to Terry, grabbed her purse and got out of the car, moving quickly toward the elevators. Terry moved slightly slower, highly conscious of her need not to strain her healing body. She had nearly collapsed from overexertion once or twice in her first two days out of the hospital, trying to walk by herself without any support. Jasmine's panic at finding her on the floor had quickly convinced her to take it easy, for both their sakes. A week later, she was able to walk slowly with the aid of a cane to help her stay upright if her legs suddenly protested a lack of oxygen and she stayed close to objects that would be able to support her weight if she needed to rest and catch her breath.
It took about five minutes for her to cover the short distance between Jasmine's car and the elevator. But Terry was smiling in triumph as she leaned her good shoulder against the wall while waiting for the elevator, watching the nearly full parking lot in front of her. 'I'm not tired or out of breath. I can do this.' She was glad that no one was around to fuss over her.
While Terry understood her colleagues' need to look after her — she silently confessed to doing that several times herself to coworkers who had been injured — it didn't mean she had to like it. They meant well, and given how she must have been rushed out of the office… She didn't like to dwell on it; but that night must have shaken everyone, not just herself. The other agents would need the reassurance that she was all right and that everything would be okay. A metallic chime alerted her to the arrival of the car and a second later, the elevator doors slid smoothly open. She carefully slipped into the metal box and pushed the button for the third floor.
"Wait!" a familiar voice called out. Terry held the elevator doors open. She smiled slightly as Lisa Henderson jogged into view, dressed conservatively in a peach-colored blouse and gray slacks. Lisa was busy tucking her keys back into her pocket while simultaneously balancing a thermos and an armful of case files in her hands, so she had no idea who was holding the elevator for her. She paused for a split second when she looked up and saw Terry standing by the doors.
"Terry," the younger woman's voice was a warm mixture of surprise, concern and, oddly, relief.
"Lisa," Terry greeted in reply as the young agent stepped into the elevator. She could feel Lisa's quick scrutinizing glance, knowing that the other woman was silently judging if she should be out and about. Apparently, Lisa found everything to be fine because she turned her attention to a filled notepad in her hand; Terry had discovered early on in their acquaintance that the young woman only indulged in idle chatter when she was worried or stressed. A comfortable silence reigned for most of the ride.
"You know," Lisa said abruptly in her quiet voice, not looking up from her notes, "people are going to fuss over you for a while; probably why Jasmine didn't say anything about today. Kirsch's back on duty, still little shaky, but we all are." The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Just before Terry stepped out, Lisa touched her on the arm and, meeting her eyes, said honestly, "It's good to have you back."
Moving toward the security gate, Terry replied, "It's good to be back."
Federal Courthouse
Courtroom #23:
United States Government vs. Rafael Alverez
Richmond, Virginia
(3:03 PM, Local Time)
"Have you reached a verdict?" the judge asked solemnly, handing the folded piece of paper back to the bailiff.
"Yes, we have, Your Honor," replied the jury's speaker, standing up as he took the paper back from the court officer.
"Then on the charge of assaulting a federal agent, what do you find?
"We, the members of the jury, find the defendant, Rafael Alverez, guilty."
"On the charge of assault with a deadly weapon in the first degree, what do you find?"
"We find the defendant guilty."
"And on the charge of attempted murder in the first degree, what do you find?
"We find the defendant guilty." Even though no sound was made, half of the courtroom groaned at the verdict while the other released a sigh of relief. Alverez looked furious as he was handcuffed again by corrections officers. Terry didn't look at him, but she knew there was a small smile of satisfaction on the face of the person sitting next to her.
"Thank you, members of the jury, for your time," said the judge gravely. "Defendant is remanded for sentencing. This court is dismissed." The thud of the gavel released the court audience from its silence and murmurs filled the room as people prepared to leave. Terry ignored the angry glares thrown her way by Alverez's family members as they left the courtroom, knowing that they would not dare harm or threaten her on federal property. Her companion, Lisa, however, did not harbor such assurances. The younger agent stood up, blocking anyone from entering the row via the center aisle, and effectively prevented anybody from getting close to Terry.
ADA Kevin Dunne turned around from his prosecution desk with a slight smile, one that Terry returned as she shook his hand over the railing.
"Thank you," she said quietly, letting go of his hand.
"No, thank you," he corrected, picking up his briefcase. "Your testimony nailed it. I just put a few finishing touches on the case." The three of them walked down the center aisle of the near empty courtroom. "I hear you'll be going back to L.A. soon?"
"Maybe," she said in reply, noticing how Lisa stayed close to her. "As soon as the Thompson case comes to trial, and if nothing else comes up." The prosecutor nodded as he pushed open the door for the two women, "Then I wish I could say it will start next week, but Thompson's lawyers put in a motion to delay the proceedings. They say they need more time." Lisa made a quiet derisive noise that caused Dunne to smile and look at her, "I know. The case is almost airtight, but it won't be easy."
Lisa nodded, "True. How long will it be delayed?"
"I don't know, not yet, anyway," answered Dunne, escorting the two women down the hallways of the federal courthouse. "I'm on my way to Judge Mathias' chambers right now. But the chances are in our favor; those lawyers of his have had three months to prepare. If Mathias does grant their motion, I'll make sure they only get weeks, not months. Either way, you'll be first on the witness stand." He gave Terry a charming grin, "I don't want to keep you longer than you want to stay. We've had you for a while now, haven't we? Half a year, right?"
"Five months," she corrected mildly.
"Still haven't thought about maybe staying here permanently?" he joked. Terry smiled and shook her head. He had flirted with her early on in their acquaintance, but once she made it clear that she was in a committed relationship, he had graciously accepted her request to back off. Dunne was a nice man, a good colleague, but he couldn't see past her emotional walls and didn't bother to try. In that critical aspect, only one man had succeeded in seeing her in all her guises: Don. She missed him so much, but it helped that they called each other when they could. 'Hey, call me afterwards, okay? If you need to talk…' Even the memory of Don's voice soothed her.
"Well, this is where I have to leave you," said Dunne, stopping in front of a sweeping marble staircase. "I'll see you both later."
"Bye," said Terry.
"See you Kevin," said Lisa, a hand already hovering at Terry's elbow, silently offering support. The older agent just shook her head in declination, unable to smother her smile at the younger woman's protective tendencies. Dunne waved a hand in farewell before continuing down the teeming corridor. The two women made their way down the stairs, through the courthouse's grand foyer and its front steps and into the parking lot.
"Lisa, is it all right with you if I make a call while you drive?"
"Fine with me," answered the young woman, unlocking the driver side door. Terry got in on the passenger side and buckled her seatbelt before she took out her phone. She hit one of her speed-dial numbers and heard it ring once, twice…
"Eppes," he answered in a brisk, businesslike tone. His voice never failed to bring a smile to her face.
"Hi, Don."
"Terry," his tone softened, became personal, and caressed her name. "How are you doing?"
"Guilty on all counts," she answered.
"Good," he said with an undercurrent of satisfaction. "But how are you feeling?"
"Relieved," she sighed, "I mean, it was a slam-dunk case, but there was always that chance… His family was giving me the evil eye afterwards."
"Do you think they'll try anything?"
"No," she answered instantly, "The cartel heads are all in custody, and Alverez is a middle man. He doesn't have the authority to issue orders. I'll have to watch out for his hothead son, but I don't think they want to risk any more family members in jail."
"Just be careful, okay?" His concern was clear.
"I know," she said softly. "Jasmine's made sure that someone's always with me." Terry glanced at Lisa, "Day and night. How are you doing?"
"Good," he answered just as an elevator bell dinged on his end, "Nothing dangerous at the moment. I should go. I'll talk to you tonight? Hi, Thomas." The buzz of the security gate on the other end of the line told her that Don was entering the office.
"I'm on stakeout," she replied, and, already knowing his instant concern, added, "And I will be careful. I promise."
"Okay. Call me then, when you can. Doesn't matter how late or early it is, okay?"
"I will. Love you," she said quietly.
"Same here," he answered. "Bye."
"Bye," she said and ended the call. Terry looked over at Lisa and saw that the younger woman looked like she was trying hard not to smile.
"What?"
"Nothing," replied Lisa calmly, her lips curving into a small grin, "I'm just happy for you, finding the right guy." Terry couldn't think of anything to say to that. 'Just one last loose end to tie up,' she thought, looking out the car window, 'and then I can go home. I can't wait for that day.'
James Carter Regional
Quantico, Virginia
(6:30 AM, Local Time)
"Thank you," she said quietly, sitting in the waiting area, the winter sun warm on her shoulders, a small carry-on bag by her feet. "You don't need to stay."
"Hey," Jasmine replied with a smile, "as the person who invited you here, I think I should also be the one who sees you off." Around them were sleepy holiday passengers waiting to board an early flight out to LAX International. Out of everyone there, perhaps only the two FBI agents were the most awake and alert.
"The whole office saw me off yesterday," Terry laughed quietly, not wanting to disturb other people's catnaps. "You've done more than enough for me."
"Well, it wasn't a problem for any of us. We're just glad everything turned out all right. The cartel's down, Alverez is in jail, the case's closed and we didn't lose a single agent."
"It's always good when it turns out like this," she said. Jasmine nodded and asked, "Will he be there?"
"Who?" Terry asked, pretending to be clueless. Jasmine sighed good-naturedly, "Don, will he be there to pick you up?"
"Yes, Jasmine, you don't need to call him." Terry couldn't help but smile at her friend's unneeded matchmaking attempt. "I told him as soon as I booked the flight."
"Good," Jasmine nodded in approval. "I should probably tell you that Lisa is being transferred."
"Where?"
"She doesn't know yet; she thinks San Francisco, but there's a chance she'll end up in L.A."
"Well," the older agent smiled, "let her know she's free to drop in anytime for a visit. You are too."
"Good to know," said Jasmine with a nod as Terry's flight number was called. "Stay in touch, all right?"
"Of course," she patted her purse where she had put everyone's contact information. Despite her brief stay with the Quantico field office, she had truly gotten to know her coworkers as friends. "Goodbye, Jasmine and thank you again." Terry got to her feet, unaided by any means of support. She was back to normal, and she was thankful every moment for that blessing.
Jasmine stood with her and walked by her side as Terry got into the boarding line. She touched Terry's arm and said, "Thank you for helping out. Goodbye Terry, and have a safe flight."
"I will."
With a brief parting hug and identical smiles, the two women went their separate ways: one back to the team of agents she commanded every day and the husband who would be returning from deployment in three hours' time and the other back to the team she had missed for so long and the man she loved.
