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: This is Terry's side of the events in 'Changes and Choices' as well as those of her coworkers on both sides of the nation. It's not necessary to read the other story first to understand the storyline here, though it is recommended to avoid any possible confusion.
She looked up. Banitek Towers rose into the Los Angeles skyline above her, casting a cool shadow in the afternoon sun. 'He's incapable of controlling his anger and he will be angry that we've emptied the plaza. He'll lash out — Edgerton said that'd throw off his breathing rhythm, results in poor accuracy. We all have a chance to go home today.' Armed police officers and S.W.A.T. team members moved past her in hurried strides. The deafening roar of helicopters circling above her served to disrupt Crane's wind, hopefully enough to prevent him from firing. She stayed close by Don's side as he roamed the scene, privately thanking her lucky stars they were finally approaching cover; he wasn't paying complete attention to his surroundings as he gave orders to the various departments, trusting her to watch his back. 'If Crane starts firing, if I can't restrain Don, at least I can pull him behind the patrol car.' An unmarked Bureau car pulled up to the scene. David was standing only a few feet away, following Don's instructions to position the coming reinforcements into a wide dragnet if Crane chose to flee.
Her heart pounding, she watched as Charlie got out of the car. 'This is a memory,' she repeated the mantra to herself 'This is just a memory. You know how it's going to turn out. This is just a memory.' Don, his eyes scanning the scene, spotted his distracted, younger brother. He ran toward Charlie, his protective instincts kicking in.
"Charlie, GET DOWN!" he yelled just as the first shot rang out. David spun around, his phone falling to the ground as he ran to push Charlie down. Charlie looked up in puzzlement before his face contorted in anguish. He scrambled to his feet. "Don!" The clipboard fell to the sidewalk as more shots rang out. Terry looked down, wondering why Don wasn't running for Charlie like he had that day. 'This is a memory, so why are things different?' Her breath caught in her throat. 'No, no, no, this never happened. This didn't happen. He can't be…'
"No, no, no, God no," she muttered frantically as she sank down next to Don's body, a pool of blood blossoming on the pavement. The bullet had caught him in the back. "Don? Don?" She gathered him in her arms, trying to stop the bleeding. 'This can't be happening. This didn't happen.' His breathing was labored and his eyes were closed. Charlie was by her side, holding Don's hand, his face white with terror. 'You can't leave Charlie like this. Please.'
"Where are the paramedics!" she demanded, her heart pounding with fear. "Hang in there," she begged him softly, "please Don." 'No Don, please, you can't leave me. I haven't even told you.' She could feel his breaths becoming shallower, the blood was flowing across her fingers more slowly… The wail of the all too distant sirens told her that it was too late.
"No…" she whimpered, tears clouding her vision. "Don't, Don," she begged quietly, whispering in his ear. "Don't leave us like this. Don't leave me. Please." 'I love you, I love you, please, stay alive for me. Please.' A very soft sigh was her only reply. "No…" There was a second of incomprehension before a wail of heart-stricken grief tore the silent afternoon as she cradled Don's lifeless body, anguish filling her soul.