My Beautiful Doll
Warning: Nothing. Just nasty vibes from the resident serial killer.
A/N: Hey guys, sorry for the inactivity. I just moved to a new place and it doesn't have wifi so I've been REALLY struggle bus-ing it. On the bright side, I'm going to get it placed tomorrow, so that's nice. Also University is starting up and I'm taking a lot of advanced courses so my upload schedule might be a bit wack when the homework and exams start picking up. But don't worry, I'll still try to post once a week. Although I've also been stuck with my oneshots, so unlike the multichapter posts, I'll only post oneshots whenever I feel like it. I'll try my best to finish all the series I've written though. Anyways, that's all from me, have a nice day!
Billy loved his former partner, he really did. It's just that sometimes, Don makes it really difficult to remember that. This is one of those times.
After driving like a madman for a few hours and risking his FBI career in the process, he managed to make it to the office in one piece. Billy stepped out, clenching his fists in his pockets. He tried to cool off his emotions on the way, but the more he thought about it, the angrier he got. They were supposed to be a team, they were supposed to trust each other. But to find out in the worst way possible that Don is not only being targeted but is the subject of the affections of a demented serial killer and didn't bother to tell them? If Billy was being honest, the serial killer would be the least of his worries once everyone got back.
As soon as he started stalking towards the building, a familiar car drifted into the parking lot, tires screeching like a hawk. Looking around, he saw Ian step out, his face visibly furious. Billy winced, a visibly upset Ian is a dangerous Ian. He almost felt sorry for Don. Key work being almost. When Ian got to him, he let out an annoyed sigh. "Ready to murder a stubborn idiot?"
Billy grinned, "I was born ready".
They both walked into the office, the entire crowd dispersing as they did. They could probably feel the murder that emitted from both men. There were a few minutes of tense silence as they waited for the elevator. But as soon as they got off on Don's floor, Ian shouted "DONALD ALAN EPPES!."
That shriek almost made Billy jump. And judging by the sudden cursing from a familiar voice, that shriek startled him as well. They both instantly went to the war room where the voice came from. When they reached there, a man stepped out. Billy paid the man no mind as they burst open the door. Billy cursed as he saw what was inside. Piles and piles of files and boxes were stacked everywhere. Three boards were used and all of them were filled with pictures and scribbles. But the most concerning of all, Don was seated in the middle surrounded by open files and a notebook in hand. To put it kindly, the man looked like absolute shit.
His hair was disheveled and dusty. His skin was pale and he had eyebags under them. His clothes were dirty, dusty, ripped, burnt, and bloody in a myriad of places. He had bandages peeking out of his shirt collar and left sleeve where the worst of the scorch marks were. Even his pants were ripped and bloody in some spots. But that wasn't the worst part. The worst part had to be the large bloodstain that surrounded a ripped hole on his right shoulder, where Billy could see the bandages peeking through. When Don turned to look at them, Billy had to hold back a hiss as he saw the blood running down the other man's head.
"Coop…Ian…" he said nervously, "I can explain…"
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Ian shouted, looking shocked. The usual calm, collected sniper's face went through all the stages of grief excluding the last one. Don winced, probably realizing how much shit he's in.
"Ow! There's no need to shout" he whined, "I can hear you just fine".
Billy almost snorted at that.
"Oh really? You could've fooled me" Ian replied sarcastically. "What was the one thing I told you not to do, Eppes?"
Don bristled, "I am a grown adult Ian, I don't need you monitoring me like this".
"The ONE thing…" Ian persisted, glaring sharply.
Don tensed for a moment before sighing, probably realizing that fighting Ian would be a losing battle. "You asked me to be careful and keep my head down…" he muttered under his breath.
"And what did you do?"
"Look Ian, I tried to keep my head down alright?! But the damn thing blew up in my face!"
"Oh it certainly blew up alright along with a few other things" Billy said sarcastically, "What the hell were you thinking? Taking on this guy alone!."
"Okay first of all, I didn't know he was obsessed with me. Secondly, I wasn't alone. I had Gary and Agent Baker with me. And thirdly, I tried to avoid the guy, but he made it very clear what he's capable of should I walk out!" Don shouted, waving his hands around. "I tried, okay? I really did. But somehow he keeps finding out where I am…" he said, shoulders slumping. He seemed so tired and defeated. "After I realized what was going on, I couldn't risk anyone else being caught in the crossfire". He looked them both in the eye, his gaze filled with determination, "I'd rather get killed than get any one of you hurt because of me".
Billy let out a tired sigh. "We know Donnie" he gave Don a small nudge with his elbow, "We knew what we were getting into when we started dating you."
"Then you know that I won't be backing down anytime soon".
Ian gave Don a sharp grin, "We know. But that also means that you should know that none of us are going to leave you anytime soon".
Don opened his mouth to protest but Ian suddenly surged forward, grabbing the shorter man by collar and pulling him into a heated kiss. Billy almost snorted, grateful at the fact that the war room's blinds were closed. Don definitely wouldn't appreciate the PDA even if it was something that everyone was used to seeing.
"Shut up, Eppes," Ian muttered once they separated. He put their foreheads together and said, "I'll be damned if I lose the best thing that's ever happened to me. Not if I have anything to say about it".
Billy came up to them and placed a hand on the uninjured shoulder, grinning at the dazed and stunned look on his former partner's face. "He's not the only one that feels that way". He gently cupped the side of Don's face, not minding the blood that's starting to drip onto his hand. "You might not feel it, but you mean the world to us. We're going to do everything in our power to keep you safe" then he kissed Don softly. Even with the smoke and grime, Billy has never tasted anything as sweet.
After they pulled away, Don looked at the two of them before letting out an annoyed sigh. "You two don't play fair, do you?"
"When going against you, there's no such thing as playing fair, there's only opportunities" another voice spoke up. Don flinched as he stepped away, looking at the door in shock. Billy grinned as he saw who had arrived. Don's entire team along with Charlie were there, looking at them with various expressions of amusement and concern.
"What the hell are you guys doing here?" Don demanded.
"Easy! We're here to save your ass from being a serial killer's chew toy" Colby replied.
Don pinched the bridge of his nose, "Didn't I tell you guys to stay away? What part of that did you not understand?"
David stepped up and gave Don a sympathetic pat on the back, "It's not that we don't understand Don, it's just that we collectively agreed to ignore orders" he grinned.
Megan took out some tissues and walked closer to Don, gently wiping away the blood that ran down. "And judging by your condition, I say we made the right call".
"I'm fine"
Charlie raised an eyebrow. Then he pulled up some papers. "Bullet wound to the right shoulder, smoke inhalation, second degree burns to the left forearm, exhaustion, dehydration, should I go on?"
Don paled, "Where did you get that?"
"Oh, I got it from the hospital when I went to visit Lieutenant Walker. He managed to persuade your doctors to give me your list of injuries". Charlie waved the paper around, "so tell me dear brother of mine, does that sound fine to you?" he glared.
"Busted…" Billy snorted under his breath.
"I'm…mildly okay" Don tried again.
"Just accept the defeat Eppes" Ian said, shaking his head. "You're going to go nowhere arguing with us".
Don sat down again, sighing loudly as he placed his head in his hands. "I don't have a say on whether or not you're allowed to be on the case, do I?"
"Nope" Megan replied cheerfully, "We'll still butt in even if you try and kick us out". Despite the smile on her face, Billy could see the anger simmering underneath. The same anger and determination that's going through all of them. "They go after one of us, they go after all of us."
"After all, we're a team, remember?" Colby said.
Don let out another sigh, his expression changing from annoyed to hesitant. Suddenly, his phone rang. Don instantly answered it. "Eppes" he answered, his tone clipped. Suddenly he jumped up, his face paling. "How the hell did you get my number?" he hissed. That got everyone on high alert. David ran outside to call the techs so they could track the call.
Billy grabbed Don by the arm and said "put him on speakerphone". Don's jaw clenched as he looked at everyone in the room, his expression conflicted. Then he took a deep breath and settled the phone on the table, putting it on speakerphone.
"Fine! I've put you on speakerphone".
"Thank you very much sweetheart" a familiar voice spoke, one that they were all starting to despise. "So, I'm guessing the entire team is here".
"Damn right" Colby growled.
"Wonderful! It's time for us to have some fun. Well…mostly me really" the man laughed.
"Cut the bullshit" Billy hissed, he could feel the anger rise within him. "Why the fuck did you call?"
"It's simple really, I mostly wanted to get to know my Angel's precious team. But then I found out about something else…" The man's tone went darker near the end, almost sounding like a low growl.
"What?" Megan asked.
"I'm disappointed in you sweetheart" the man said, ignoring what she said. "I already felt betrayed when I realized you had already given your heart out once. But to find out that you're not only dating one, but two people? You betrayed me."
Don gripped the table tightly, his expression was one of controlled anger. "I said it once and I'll say it again, I don't belong to you" he snarled.
"I expected you to be stubborn, but I guess I never truly realized the extent of it" he sighed, "Have you forgotten the last lesson we did? You don't have a say sweetheart," The man's voice was sickly sweet. "You're MINE!".
Don bristled, "No. Screw you. I will never be yours" he hissed.
"You don't have a choice. Unless you want a second brand on you, it's best to listen to me Angel."
"Second brand? What the fuck is he talking about?" Ian asked, standing straighter. They all looked towards Don. He had a hand on his heart, clenching his shirt in a white knuckled grip.
"Don't you dare…" Don started, glaring at the phone.
"Don?" Charlie asked worriedly, placing a gentle hand on his brother's shoulder.
"It's your choice sweetheart. Acknowledge that you're mine right now, and I might spare you the pain of your punishment in the future."
Don took a deep breath, closing his eyes. When he opened them again, Billy could see the fire that was behind them. "Go to hell" he spat.
The man let out a dramatic sigh. "I should've known, you never knew what's good for you". The man let out a bright laugh, one that sent a small chill through Billy's spine. "No worries, I have all the time in the world. Once I'm done, you WILL learn to love me. I'll see you soon, my beautiful doll~" then the line went dead.
They all stared at each other, varying levels of shock and disgust written on their faces. "Is it just me, or is that guy giving me the creeps?" Colby said, trying to lighten up the mood.
Don slumped back, rubbing his face tiredly, "Goddamnit…"
"Alright!" Billy decided to cut the tension, "Will you please explain to us what the fuck is going on and what's happening?!"
Don gave him an exasperated expression, "I think you guys need to sit down, it's going to be a long story…"
A/N: Finally, the gang is all here and they can all collectively marvel at Don's extremely poor life choices. Also smack the shit out of him, but that will come later :)