My Darling Sweetheart
Warning: Nothing, it's a safe chapter. It's just fluff.
A/N: Hey guys! I don't have many life updates but I am here to tell y'all that University is starting up next month so my schedule might be packed. Don't worry though, I'll still regularly update this story on Mondays, but it might be later than usual. And also expect a bit more breaks in between because tests are unfortunately a thing and I did the supremely dumb decision to take a math class...I suck at math and the only reason I took my major was so that I didn't need to see math again for the rest of the school year (statistics being the exception). But here I am, running face first into math. Wish me and my sanity luck...I'm gonna need it (I blame this damn show for that). But then again, my academic life is basically one contradiction. The quiet kid who sits in the corner, barely speaks to anyone, is hella shy, and has a resting judgmental face with a slight attitude problem deciding to major in International Relations? Sounds like the basis of a sitcom. If WW3 ever happens after I graduate, rest assured it was most likely my fault.
Anyways, that's enough rambling for me. These next few chapters are going to slow down in terms of action but they will have more fun interactions and and of course, more buildup so I hope that's okay. As much as I love to write angst and tension, I love writing dialogue just as much (and I also need to give the brain and these guys a bit of a break when it comes to angst, not to mention laying the foundation for all that angst and tension). Do not fear though, the action will come and when it does, it will be...brutal. Alright, that's all from me, have a nice day!
Don had no clue how long he had been driving for. All he knew was that as soon as he was done packing, he had to get the hell out of LA before anyone realized where he was.
"This was such a bad idea" he murmured to himself as he turned around, the GPS telling him that he was around two hours away from his first destination. He had driven as fast as he legally could, constantly looking back to see whether or not he was being followed. Taking random turns left and right to throw any pursuer off his track. He needed this extra precaution because his car was recognizable. A government owned SUV? That thing sticks out like a sore thumb. Not to mention the fact that everyone in his life remembered his plates. That one really didn't help his case.
He was driving down the highway, one hour away from his destination before the phone rang. Looking down, he reached over to the passenger seat to grab it. "Eppes," he said simply.
"Eppes, what the hell did you do this time?" a gruff voice spoke out, causing Don to wince.
"What makes you think I did something?" he shot back, trying to defend himself.
"Well, considering the fact that you contacted me out of the blue on an unknown number when I know damn well that the phone number you gave me the last time we met is still yours, along with the fact that you asked me for MY help? I think I can make a few guesses…" the other voice on the phone said good naturedly, although he could detect an undercurrent of worry underneath that jovialness, something that seems to be a theme when it comes to his friends. "That and the fact that there's now an agency-wide hunt for you and another criminal. I think that also waved a few flags in my face."
"WHAT?!" He half shrieked, "you're telling me that they see me as a criminal?"
"Actually, I'm not sure. Everything was very vague. All I know is that we were ordered to detain you by any means necessary if we saw you."
Don knew exactly the genius that decided on that. "Motherf-"
"-Atatat Donnie" the voice said, this time his tone was stern, making the man sound a bit too much like his dad. "Remember what I said about swearing?"
"Try not to do it unless it's life or death or if you're trying to rile up a criminal…" or when you see spiders, but he didn't say that last one out loud. It technically wasn't an official rule, but after he caught the man swearing up a storm on a kitchen table one morning during an undercover bust, he figured he should just keep that one to himself. "Look Xan, are you going to help me or not?" he hissed.
"What makes you think I won't? I know I made it clear the last time we met Donnie. My loyalty isn't to the FBI, it's to people who gain my respect."
Don scoffed. "You and I have two very different ways of showing respect."
"Careful Eppes. Act like you're better than me and I'll pull out all the instances of when you've been less than role model worthy. I'm pretty sure your team would have a field day with that."
"Do that and I'll spill to everyone on what happened in Vegas" he replied, looking back once again to see whether or not he was being followed.
There was a pause on the other end before the man said, "Well played, I knew I liked you for a reason. So..you coming over?"
"I'm one hour away."
"Alright, I'll get the getaway car ready."
Don couldn't help but smile at that. "I knew I liked you for a reason."
"You know one of these days, that smart mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble."
"I'm flattered that you assumed it hasn't already."
"I was being optimistic."
"Yeah well, optimism never suited you Xan," he said, looking over at the GPS system that said where he was. "Anyways, I gotta go. I'll see you soon."
"You too. Keep your head down Donnie, I don't like this."
"Neither do I" he replied before shutting down the call, his entire focus now back on the road. What the hell is their plan? Judging by that small piece of information, Don had a feeling that he knew what angle everyone was trying to get at. Whether or not it was them not taking any chances with him or them trying to get revenge on him for pulling this bullshit, he can't really say yet. All he knows is that he's in deep trouble on both ends.
I hope Baker kills me at this point because I think he'll be more merciful than them.
It took a while, but Don managed to reach his destination with some time to spare. He turned off the car and slammed the door shut, taking in the white house that was situated in a surprisingly suburban area. Don wouldn't say that he expected this kind of thing from the man but hey, weirder things have happened before.
"Hey! You made it here intact. Good on you Eppes" the man that he was talking to on the phone greeted him from his front porch, a glass of some type of amber alcohol in hand.
"You doubted me?" Don shot at him, smiling as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"Nah, just wanted to state the obvious, that's all" he replied, giving Don that same look of pride that he did all those years ago.
Don shook his head as he let out a huff, "good to see you again Xander, wish it was on better terms though" he said as he held out his hand. The older man gave him a beaming smile before getting up, grabbing his hand, and pulling Don into a tight hug.
"Good to see you again too, Donnie" he said, patting Don harshly on the back.
"Ow! Are you really that glad if you're trying to kill me?" he bit out, wincing as they separated.
"Don't be a baby, it was just a little tap" then the man elbowed him in the ribs, "plus, a little birdie told me that you've pushed through worse."
"Doesn't mean I like it" he huffed out, rubbing his sore side. He knew he sounded petulant, but he didn't really care. The man was one of his mentors after all, the only one who has seen him through his worse and dragged him out of that by the leg. "Just because you know how to dance, doesn't mean you like it when your wife asks you to join her on the dance floor."
"Good point" Xander replied, giving Don's head a knock, "nice to know your brain is still inside, even if it's largely inactive now."
"Hey!" he hissed, swatting the man's hand away, "that was uncalled for!"
The older man looked down at him and raised his eyebrow, giving him a look that Don knew all too well. "Really? So…who was it that decided that it was a good idea to do something so monumentally stupid that they have every law enforcement agency across the country after him?"
"You're joking…"
Xander placed an arm on his shoulder and shot him a smile. "I wish I was. Now come in before someone else sees you here loitering about."
Don looked around one last time before he walked into the house. As soon as he closed the door, he turned back to see Xander on a sofa, giving him the sharpest glare imaginable, making Don feel like he was a rookie agent once more who got caught going left when he was supposed to go right. "Now…before I tell you what you want to know, you have to tell me something first. What the hell happened?"
Don's shoulders slumped over before he looked down, certain that he looked about as tired as he felt. These last few hours did take so much out of him. It's fine Eppes, he's safe, remember? It's why you went to him first. "Alright, I'll tell you. I gotta warn you though…"
"It's one hell of a story."
A/N: That's an...interesting way to phrase what you've been through Donnie...
Don: So...here's a funny story actually...
[Proceeds to tell everyone the most horrific thing that's ever happened to him]
Don: Hahah...funny that happened, right?
Everyone: Don...what in the absolute fuck?
Sorry baby boo, but you can't brush this off, internalize it, and then disassociate yourself from what happened this time. You, my friend, are going to face the music and for your sake, pray that it's not going to be sooner...
And yes, I do have a headcanon that everyone Don calls someone out of work, they get a mini heart attack and answer by asking "what did you do this time?". Don gets into shenanigans (both amusing and not) on a weekly basis and ends up dragging someone into it unintentionally. I've said it once and I'll say it again, Don's one hell of an agent but man, he barely has control over his impulses. That coupled with the fact that he barely has any self preservation instincts makes me wonder how the hell hasn't anyone just decided to lock him into a storage closet for his own safety and everyone's sanity. Season 1 until 4 of Don was a complete menace to everyone around him, especially criminals and I'm here for that.