Hey all, so sorry it took me so long to update. I started the story in Maine while visiting but when I came back to Massachusetts my inspiration dried up. But I only have three more weeks here so hopefully things will get rolling. Happy reading
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You look tired this morning." Melie observed as she smiled up at her husband.
"Yea well my wife kept me up half the night." Don grumbled playfully. He made a beeline for the coffee pot, smiling as he felt he arms coming around him.
"Are you telling me that you didn't enjoy it?" She teased, rubbing her chin into his back. He pretended to think about it as he stirred sweetener into his coffee.
Laughing she poked him in the back before turning away. "See if it happens again tonight." She threw over her shoulder.
He turned around and leaned against the counter, tilting his head to admire the sight before him.
"What?" She asked as she looked up to find him staring at her. He hid his grin in his coffee cup. Narrowing her eyes she advanced on him, stopping just short of his shiny dress shoes. "What were you looking at?"
Putting his coffee cup down he ran his hands along the sides of her ribcage and down until he was cupping her bottom. "This." He answered nipping at her bottom lip.
"I'm going to be late." She announced a little later as she straightened her scrubs. "And you have a bank robber and murderer to find."
Don sighed as reality crashed back down. "You make it sound so easy."
"Is Charlie working on the case with you?" She asked, gathering her bag. She rifled through to make sure she had her stethoscope and trauma scissors.
"No, he's got school stuff to do. Couldn't get out of it." He shrugged. "It would have been nice to have his help." He slipped into his suit jacket.
"You were a good agent before he joined your team. You don't need him to solve a case."
"No but he cuts down on a lot of the legwork out." He lifted her up so they were eye level with each other. "Gives me more time to spend with you." He said giving her a quick kiss. "Speaking of which you're late and I've got paperwork."
"You didn't eat breakfast." She admonished as she followed him out the door. "And I bet you won't eat lunch." She continued placing her hands on her hips. Not answering he gave her a quick kiss before getting into his SUV.
Ten minutes later he sighed as he stared at the mess on the interstate. "Ah, come on. Give me a break here." He growled as he came to a stop. Rubbing his forehead he picked up the case file lying on the seat next to him and began reviewing the evidence. Making notes on the reports he inched forward until he came to the next exit. He placed the file back on the seat beside him and zipped down the ramp.
Seeing a gas station on the corner he realized he was on empty and turned in. Getting out he slid his gas card into the slot, unconsciously observing the parking lot.
Two cars, one parked toward the back of the store, a blue 89 Honda. Probably the station employee's. Second car a 2006 Toyota tundra in while, CA license plate number 824640.
All the information inbedded itself into his memory as he selected the gas grade and began pumping. He looked towards the mini mart but was unable to see in the windows due to the reflection of the early morning sun.
"You didn't eat breakfast and you probably won't eat lunch." Melie's words wondered through his mind as he stared at the store. Glancing as his watch he decided he had time to run in and grab some food for the team. Colby particully liked the blueberry muffins the mini mart offered.
Keeping that in mind he finished pumping gas before heading to the store. He blinked to adjust his eyes to the darkness inside before heading for the bakery section. After selecting the correct pasties for the rest of the team he grabbed a couple of donuts and a cup of coffee for himself and headed for the checkout counter.
"Will this be all?" The clerk asked nervously. Don noticed the way he continually shifted his eyes to the left and review in his mind the data he had assimilated as he walked in. Clerk, age 17-20. Brown oily hair, acne ridden face, 5-9, 110 pounds. Second person in the back by the bathrooms.
"Yeah." He answered turning around to look for the second man. He came face to face with a gun.
"Hands up in the air." The man behind the gun shouted. He gestured with the gun for Don to do as he said.
The FBI agent took in the wild and crazy eyes, the sweat beading the assailant's forehead, and the shaking of his hands. Slowly Don raised his hands into the air.
"Calm down. We don't want anyone to get hurt here." He said as calmly as he could.
"Then you better do what I say." The gun man shouted. He gestured for Don to sit down along the freezers. Glancing around Don saw that the clerk was cowering behind the counter. Making a snap decision he rushed the assailant, using a chop move to disarm him.
The perpetrator went crazy as the gun went flying. Using a football move he tackled the FBI agent, pushing them both into the slushy machine. Don yelled out as the machine tipped over spilling the sticky contents all over him.
"FBI agent you asshole. On the ground now." He yelled as he pulled out his gun. The assailant looked behind him for an escape route giving Don time to tackle him around the legs and bring him down. He roughly flipped him over and placed the cuffs on before jerking out his phone and calling the local cops.
"Breakfast is on the house." The clerk squeaked from where he was peaking over the counter. He ducked back down when Don turned to glare at him.
Lifting his phone to his ear the agent placed a call to his office to let them know he'd be late. He tried valiantly to ignore the red liquid that was soaking into his suit jacket and pulling around his feet.
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"You look like you had a good night." Madison observed as she came up behind her friend. She reached out to help the patient turn over so the other nurse could examine her back.
Melie grinned. "I don't think that would describe it." She answered as she wrote her findings down. She gestured for her friend to follow her out of the room.
"Does this mean Don took you to see his family?" Madison asked once they were back in the nurse's station. She looked inquiringly at the other girl.
"No, but he felt so bad about not taking me that he made it up to me when he got home." She laughed as she remembered the night before. "He made up for it in more ways than one."
Madison laughed. "I do believe you have a mean streak in you." She observed.
"Hey, he got as much enjoyment out of it as I did." Melie retorted.
"Okay, what are you going to do for the holidays? Thanksgiving is right around the corner. You can't go to your family while he goes to his. In case you've forgotten you don't have a family." Madison pointed out as she drew up the meds ordered.
"Thanks Maddy, I really needed to be reminded of that." Grabbing a chart she went to assess the new patient.
Madison was waiting for her at the nursing station when she was finished. "Listen Mel, I'm sorry for throwing that up in your face."
The smaller girl smiled sadly. "It's okay. I always thought that when I married I would get a family." She shrugged as the intercom buzzed.
"Trauma Alert, all respond. Trauma Alert, all respond."
Melie jumped up from the chair she had been sitting in. "That's me. Mr. Burse in three in a nausea and vomiting times three days. He tilts so he'll need an IV. He's not been seen yet." She pushed the chart on her friend as she rushed for the elevator.
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Don stalked into the FBI office radiating anger and sending cold glares promising retribution at anyone who looked twice at him. Office personal hurried to move out of his way, shifting their eyes elsewhere.
Megan's lips twitched as she spotted him coming down the hall. "Granger, if you know what's good for you you'll keep your mouth shut when Don comes in."
Colby pretended to ignore her as he concentrated on his paperwork. He spent half his time around the profiler angry with her bossy behavior and the other half impressed with her skills.
"It'll be your death sentence." She continued in a sing song voice, well aware of how she affected him.
"Well it's my decision to make." He pointed out.
"What is?" Don asked gruffly as he walked into the circle of desks.
"Aahh…."Colby's voice trailed off as he took in the lead agent's appearance. Swallowing hard he searched desperately for something to say. "Bad day?" He asked finally.
"No Colby, I always come in like this." Don answered sarcastically as he tossed him the bag of food. "I'll have you know that the problems all started when I decided to get you breakfast." He growled.
"Appreciate it." The younger man answered, gritting his teeth to keep from smiling.
Don switched his gaze to Megan, daring her to say anything.
"Shower's that way." She responded pointing down the hall. She gave him a small smile in commiseration.
"Damn, he has to be sticky." Colby burst out once the other agent was down the hall. He threw the banana nut muffin at the profiler.
David walked in with a strange look on his face. "I'm almost afraid to ask, but what happened to Don?"
"He interrupted a convience store robbery and got into a fight with the slushy machine." Megan explained.
David sighed as he handed the folder to her. "This isn't going to make him any happier."
"What is it?" Colby asked as he walked around to join them.
Megan looked up from where she had been reading silently. "We lost him."
"Who?" The younger agent asked in confusion.
"The car used in the robbery was reported stolen two weeks prior. Only his neighbor remembers seeing the car at the house last week." David explained.
"Now, he's not answering his phone or his doorbell. None of his neighbors have seen him and there's three days worth of newspapers on his doorstep." Megan read.
"He's not been home since the robbery." She said in disgust.
Colby whistled at the information. "This is not good."
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Alan Eppes walked down the stairs of his house slowly, trying to ignore the pressure in his chest. From experience he knew if he could sit down and rest for a couple of minutes it would ease off. He slowed down as he passed the photo of his wife. "I know, I know. Should have made the appointment with the doctor." He mumbled to himself as he continued down the stairs. He attempted a smile as he thought of how his wife would have scolded him for this little episode.
Breathing heavily as he tried to drag air into constricted lungs he traveled the last few feet to the closest chair. He leaned his head against the back of the chair as he concentrated on regulating his breathing. Sweat beaded on his forehead as a sharp pain shot down his left arm. He dug the fingers of his right hand into the chair to keep from crying out.
Hearing Charlie walking out of the kitchen he hurriedly reached for the newspaper and held it up in front of him. "All set to go?" He asked his youngest son, straining to sound normal.
"I just need this one book." Charlie's distracted voice floated back to him.
Alan peaked around the edge of the paper to see Charlie shuffling through the pile of books on the coffee table. "I don't know how you find anything in that mess." He observed, breathing a little easier as the pain faded away.
"Aha" Charlie said triumphantly holding up the book. "Now, I'm ready."
"You need a ride to the airport?" His father asked. He folded up the paper and threw it onto to the pile.
"No, Amita's coming to pick me up." He answered. "I'll be back in three days so don't throw any wild parties while I'm gone."
"Yeah, I think you have me mixed up with your brother."
"Don?" Megan called out as she walked into the men's locker room. Rounding the corner she spotted her partner rifling through his locker. "Don." She called again.
He jerked back in surprise. "Jesus Megan. I'm practically naked here." He exclaimed, reaching down to secure the towel slung around his hips.
Megan laughed at the look on his face. "It's not anything I haven't seen before." She pointed out.
"Yeah, well you haven't' seen this particular one and I'd like to keep it that way." He retorted.
"We just had some information on the case that you need to hear." She said smiling brightly.
"What, it can't wait two minutes while I get dressed?" He glared at her when she didn't move. "Megan." He barked.
"Okay, okay. Can't blame a girl for trying." Her laughter came floating back.