Meet the Edgertons
Warning: Nothing. Just Don making poor life decisions as per usual.
A/N: Heyyyy! I'm so sorry about the strange upload schedule and long wait times for this story. I got really stuck and decided to put it aside for other stories. But thankfully, I just got hit with a flash of inspiration. So to those who were waiting for this story, I'm sorry. Anyways, that's all from me, have a nice day!
"Alright, will someone tell me what is going on?" Charlie's voice rang out through the car after Don was done getting patched up. He knew that both he and Megan looked tense and that Charlie definitely saw at least the tail end of the conversation before Don was about to punch Blake.
Both he and Megan gave each other a look, the silent discussion flowing between them. After a few minutes, Don groaned before he leaned his head back into the headrest of the car. "I…well…you see…" he stumbled, for once unable to lie.
"That detective has been harassing your brother since day one" Megan supplied, rolling her eyes at the glare Don shot her. "What? He heard some parts of the conversation, he deserves to know" just like Ian does. That last statement wasn't said out loud, but Don could hear it all the same. Don can't say that she's wrong, but he doesn't want to say that she's right either.
He's stubborn like that.
"What kind of harassment?" Charlie asked, concerned. Although, the tone of his voice told Don that he might have a clue on what kind it was.
"The kind where he can't keep his damn hands to himself, even after I've threatened to scatter his remains" Don replied this time, feeling the annoyance bubbling up.
"Does Ian know about this?"
Don shook his head. "No, and I intend to keep it that way."
"Don, he has a right to know if someone is bothering you," his brother said, sounding stern.
"I'm not saying he doesn't" Don tried to defend himself, "I'm just saying that I'm not going to tell him right now. He has a lot on his plate and I don't want to add anything else to his pile."
"How considerate of you" Megan muttered under her breath, her tone supremely sarcastic.
"Shut it Reeves" Don shot at her, glaring. She ignored it.
"What happens if Ian finds out?"
Don winced at Charlie's words, those questions cutting him deep. He knows his brother means well, but did he really need to ask Don about that? The thing that's been troubling him since this all started. "I'll deal with it" he shrugged, trying to come off as nonchalant. Although judging by Megan's expression, he had a feeling he failed in that department.
"Suit yourself, although I reserve the right to say I told you so when everything inevitably ends up blowing up in your face."
"You know you say the sweetest things" Don replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes at her.
"Someone has to knock you down a peg or two" she grins, throwing him a wink.
As if Ian and Coop aren't doing that already he thought, internally scoffing. "Right…that's what it's called. Knocking down a peg. Surely it's not because you get some sick enjoyment out of watching all this."
Megan snorted. "Who says I'm not?"
Don glanced at her, shaking his head slightly in fond annoyance. "You're the worst, you know that?"
"You know you say the sweetest things" Megan replied, a fake innocent look plastered over her face. One that no one trusted, not even in a million years.
Don snorted at her expression. "You know I never understand why you still try that look even though you know that almost no one falls for it."
"Well…except for strangers and Larry of course" Charlie supplied, grinning slightly.
"That should be a given by now, don't you think?" Don retorted, blocking a smack from Megan.
"One more word and I'll be feeding you to both Ian and Billy" Megan warned, throwing him a side glare.
Don shot her a horrified look. "You wouldn- actually…never mind. You would do that" he amended after a few seconds of thinking.
"Nice to know that you know me so well after our months of partnership" she replied, grinning sweetly.
"What kind of agent would I be if I didn't realize your true personality after a few months?" he shot back.
"A bad one indeed."
Don opened his mouth to reply, but then he realized that they were already pulling up to the FBI parking lot. "Oh…looks like we're here. Do you want a ride back home, Charlie?" He asked, turning around to face his little brother.
Charlie eyed his hand critically. "Are you even fit to drive with that golf ball of a hand?"
Don rolled his eyes, "I can drive one-handed just fine."
"Charlie's right Don, I don't think you're fit to drive" Megan said, eyeing him just as critically as Charlie was. "You'll risk aggravating your injuries. Why don't I drive Charlie back to the university while you go back to Colby and David. I'm pretty sure they should be done with Blake by now."
"Who died and made you leader?" Don grumbled, annoyed at the fact that he was being ordered around.
"You did," she replied, shooting him an amused smirk at his disgruntled expression. "Well…I wouldn't say you're dead just yet. I think you're more on death's door."
"Ha…ha…" he said sarcastically, "very funny. Do you enjoy being the class clown?"
"I thought that was Colby's job" Charlie spoke up, grinning slightly.
"He can share that job. Especially since you guys insist on being a full fledged circus."
"Don't act all high and mighty just yet. After all, you're still our leader. If we're a circus, then you're the ringleader."
"I feel more like a lion tamer" he muttered underneath his breath, ignoring the looks that both Charlie and Megan shot at him.
"Debates on who is who aside, you're outnumbered Don" Charlie said smugly. "Two to one. I don't think you need to be good at math to understand that."
"Yeah, yeah…" he sighed, rolling his eyes. "Ordered around by my baby brother and my subordinate. What has the world come to?"
Megan swatted his arm gently, the smug smile still on her face. "Don't start your "the world is ending" speech just yet. This is temporary. You'll be back to being the tyrant that you are once you actually have leverage against us."
Don opened the door, snorting slightly at Megan's words. "I don't hear you complaining about my leadership skills."
"I have. Multiple times."
"Oh…I thought that was just white noise" Don replied, grinning mischievously at that.
"And you call us clowns…" Megan muttered under her breath, shaking her head in amusement.
"I'm pretty sure he could be considered as patient zero on this occasion" Charlie said, his smile mirroring everyone else's.
"Charlie?"
"Yeah?"
"Shut up" he said before shutting the door behind him, cutting off whatever his brother had to say. He could see Charlie's eyes roll before he gave Don a very polite middle finger from behind the glass, one that Don returned happily.
"Be careful," Charlie mouthed, pointing towards the FBI building.
Don nodded, smiling. "I will," he said back, giving them both a wave before he walked back to the office building, the screech of tires behind him telling him that Megan was leaving for CalSci.
He stretched out his arms as he walked, feeling stiff from both the car ride and the treatment for his hand. There were a few stitches needed here and there, but nothing too major that he hasn't had before. "Definitely could've patched this up myself" he grumbled, shaking his head at the protective nature of his team and family. "At least it's properly wrapped" he shrugged, thinking of ways he could take the bandage off or lie. Although, knowing his family, he had a feeling that the latter would only aggravate everyone even more.
He was about to walk into the building when a sudden noise from behind a nearby wall made him jump. "Holy-" he almost shouted, his hand automatically going to where his gun was. "What the hell was that?" Fueled with curiosity, he decided to approach the area, just to make sure nothing was amiss.
He took slow and deliberate steps as he walked towards the wall. His gun wasn't out just yet, but he had his hand on it just in case. His heart rate was faster than usual, but not as fast as it would've been if he were in a life or death situation. After a few moments, he was close enough to be able to take a peek behind the structure.
"Oh…it's just you…" he said, surprised. There, nestled on top of the trash cans was a cat. Judging by one of the plastic bags that were now on the ground, the cat probably knocked it off the trash can. "God, you gave me a heart attack." He got near the cat, holding his arms out so that he could coax it off the trash can. He blinked in shock as the cat got up and gracefully leapt into his arms, snuggling there as it purred loudly. "Huh, who would've thought?" He muttered fondly as he walked to a better spot, dispatching the cat from his arms. The little feline gave him one last meow before it walked off, probably to find its owner.
"Looks like it was nothing," he said, shaking his head. He was about to turn around when he heard a rush of footsteps approaching him. But, before he could even move, pain spiked through his skull as he crashed to the floor, groaning. "The…-ell?" He slurred, his vision blurring. Standing over him was a figure, their features blended together due to the parade that was going on within his head.
"I warned you, Agent Eppes. Back off or you're next. This is my final warning" the man hissed before he brought his foot up and slammed it over Don's already injured arm. Don let out a cry of pain, curling into himself as he growled.
"Bas…tard."
"Let that be a reminder for you" the man said cooly before he walked away, leaving Don on the ground. Don let out another feral growl as he tried to turn his body, attempting to get up before anyone saw him like this. But the sudden jolt of his movements rattled through his brain, causing him to cry out before collapsing, the darkness swallowing him whole.
"..n! -on! DON!" A voice called out to him, causing him to jolt up. But he instantly regretted that movement as a sharp pain shot through his head, piercing him just behind his eyes.
"Argh!" He groaned, rolling over to his side. He felt hands all over him, trying to stop him from moving and he started to panic. He snarled as he tried to fight off the people around him, fearing the worst.
"Agent Eppes! Calm down!"
"Someone stop him from moving!"
"Don! Stand down!" A voice cut through all of them, causing Don to still. He looked up, barely realizing that he had an oxygen mask on him as his eyes met a familiar figure. Now that he was more grounded, he realized where he was. He was on a stretcher, medical personnel all around him. He lifted his unbandaged hand up and gingerly touched the wound that was on his head, wincing at the pain.
"Ian? Why are you here?"
Ian stalked up towards him, his expression neutral. But, his body language told him that Ian was not happy. Ah…shit he thought to himself as Ian walked up to him. This is where it all falls down.
"I think the better question is why the hell didn't you tell me that any of this was happening?" The pointedness of the question along with the sharp way that Ian was looking at him was enough to cause Don to look away, embarrassed at being caught.
"I-" Don started to protest, but Ian's glare sharpened even further, causing Don to shrink back slightly, aware that any amount of protesting would not end well. Plus, none of it mattered anyways. There was no doubt in his mind that his team would spill all of the beans after all of this.
Shit…I'm busted.
A/N: Ouch! Don's finally busted on both ends. But…how much does Ian and Charlie know about his really shitty day? Find out next time on Dragon Ball- wait…still wrong show.