Title: Texting
Author: broken_slash
Rating: PG
Genre: Family, Humor
Characters/Pairing: Don/Ian, Dylan (OC)
Warnings: None
Summary: Don and Ian’s adopted son needs to put that damn phone away already.
Start Song: Misery Business - Paramore
End Song: Miracle - Paramore
Beta: The wonderful splashingfish
Notes: Written for chymom ’s birthday. Happy birthday, chymom!


( Texting )

Title: Homecoming
Author: broken_slash
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Family, Romance
Characters/Pairing: Don/Ian, mentions of David/OC Alan, Charlie, Colby, with cameo appearances by Megan,  Liz, Larry
Warnings: Mentions of Het
Summary: AU. Don comes home after a six-month assignment in New York to a slightly unwelcome surprise.
Start Song: I Saw It On Your Keyboard - Hellogoodbye
End Song: 20 Dollar Nose Bleed - Fall Out Boy
Beta: The wonderful splashingfish, for whom there is no replacement.. Despite her only semi-tolerance for slash, she’s agreed to beta my fics, because I’m in sore need of it. Bless her heart. :)
Notes: This fic was written for the 2009 Numb3rs Slash Ficathon. For the past few days, I’ve been freaking out because I was so afraid that this wouldn’t be in time for Friday’s deadline. This turned out way longer than I expected, so thank God my beta (the fabulous splashingfish) knew about the deadline and beta’d at light speed. So I’m sorry if there’s anything we missed. Enjoy!

( Homecoming )
“Hey, it’s me.” Don drops his duffel on the ground and tries to wave over a cab. You’d think that after five months in New York City, that he would be a little better at it. But no.

“You’re back.” The relief is evident in Ian’s voice.

“Yeah.” Don finally gets one of the circling taxis to notice him, and he hefts his duffel back onto his shoulder.

“Where are you?”

“Airport,” Don says, opening the cab door and slipping inside. “So where am I going, Ian? Hotel, your place, what?”

“Uh, actually, a friend of mine is having a cookout. You wanna come?”

“Sure, where’s it at?”

Ian tells him the address, and Don relays it to the cab driver. It sounds vaguely familiar, but he can’t place it.

“Oh, come on man,” the driver complains. “I clock out in ten minutes.”

Don grabs a couple of bills out of his wallet and shoves them at the driver.

“Will that cover it?” he asks.

“Yeah, sure, buddy.” The driver quickly stows the money away.

“Sorry,” Don says into the phone. “Problems with the driver. So anyway, who is this guy? Have I ever met him?”

“Uh, once or twice,” Ian says.

“Okay, well, I’ll be there in about twenty minutes,” Don tells him, glancing down at his watch. “See you.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.” Ian closes the phone and stands there for a while before he puts it away. It’s only just now hit him how long the past five months have been, and he’s suddenly feeling empty inside.

When he finally looks up, everyone’s already gone back to their conversations, realizing that they’re safe. For now.

“I take it that wasn’t a work call,” Alan says, flipping a burger on the grill.

“No, it wasn’t,” Ian says.

“Good,” Alan says. “I don’t like it when people take my boys for me. Or girls,” he adds as an afterthought.

Ian looks away, a queasy feeling in his stomach. He really, really doesn’t want two people mad at him for this.

Don’s so into negotiating with his boss for a few days off that he doesn’t even realize that the cab’s come to a stop.

“Just two days,” Don says into the phone. “Tomorrow and Tuesday.”

He can hear his boss sigh. “Fine Eppes,” he says. “But come Wednesday, I’ll drag your ass on that place back to DC myself if I have to.”

Don smiles. “Thanks, Boss. See you Wednesday.”

“Yes, you will.”

Chuckling to himself, Don hangs up and climbs out of the cab, thanking the driver and pulling his duffel onto his shoulder.

When he looks up, the first thing he sees is Ian.

If either one of them was female, it would be a soft, welcoming kiss that locks their lips. But they aren’t, and it isn’t, so they end up grappling for the upper hand as always. Don growls as Ian finally forces his tongue out of the other man’s mouth, and he breaks off the kiss/wrestling match.

“Miss me?” Don whispers, slightly out of breath.

“What the hell do you think?” Ian demands in a whisper and tries to pull Don into another kiss. Don just pulls away, chuckling.

“This probably isn’t the best place,” he says. “Or time.”

Ian growls, and then notices the duffel. “Is that all you have?” he asks. Don isn’t surprised he’s noticed. The duffel is considerably lighter.

“Need, not have, Ian,” Don corrects. “The rest’s back in DC.”

“Well what do you have?”

“Gun, clothes, money,” Don lists.

“The three food groups of a sniper,” Ian says, finally smiling. “With clothes being the equivalent of sugars, fats, and oils.”

“Only with you,” Don whispers in Ian’s ear. Ian shivers, and Don pulls away, smirking.

“So let’s go meet this mystery friend,” he says, and finally looks up at the house.

His smile disappears.

This is why the address is so familiar. This is why Ian didn’t tell him the guy’s name.

He opens his mouth to say something, but he’s cut off by a yell.

“Hey Ian, dinner’s ready ”

Don would know that voice anywhere.

Charlie.

“Hey, Ian, did you –“ Charlie breaks off as he comes around the corner. His eyes widen, and he chokes out, “Don?”

“Hey Charlie,” Don says wearily.

“What are you doing here?” Charlie asks.

“Charlie, Don is – “ Ian starts, but Charlie cuts him off.

“I know who he is, Ian,” he says. “He’s my brother, and the fourth best shot in the country.”

“Third!” Don corrects irritably. “Third best shot!” Hasn’t anyone noticed that number three died last week of leukemia, or is he the only one?

“Whatever,” Charlie says. “I know who my brother is.”

“Yeah, but Charlie, he’s my –“

Ian is cut off again, but this time it’s by a voice Don doesn’t recognize.

“Hey, Ian, Charlie, you coming?” A muscled blond man comes around the corner. He blinks when he sees Don. “Who are you?” he asks.

Ian sighs. “Don, Colby Granger. Colby, Don Eppes.”

Granger’s eyes widen. “Whoa. The Don Eppes? You’re like the fourth best shot in the country!”

“Third!” Don snaps. Can’t anyone get it right?

“What?” Granger frowns.

“Third best shot,” Ian and Charlie say in unison.

“Oh,” Granger says. “Well what the hell are you doing here?”

“Colby, he’s my...” Ian and Charlie both trail off, looking at each other.

“My brother, Colby,” Charlie finishes exasperatedly. “He’s my brother.”

“Oh.” Suddenly Granger grins. “I knew it. David owes me ten bucks.”

“Granger, go back and help Alan with dinner,” Ian snaps.

Don’s eyes widen. “My dad?! Ian, you’re an idiot!”

“Don, calm down,” Ian says. “Okay?”

Don takes a deep breath. “Okay. What are we gonna tell him?”

Ian just gives him a level stare, and Don swallows hard.

Charlie’s glancing between them. “Tell Dad about what?” When nobody responds, he says, worriedly, “Don? Ian?”

Don and Ian are still staring at each other. Don takes in a deep breath, lets it out, and then nods. “Okay,” he says. “Come on, Ian.”

He heads for the backyard, Ian next to him. Behind them, Granger and Charlie exchange confused glances.

“Hey, Alan,” Ian calls as they come around to the back of the house. “Sorry it took so long. A long-lost friend turned up.”

If Don wasn’t so tense, he would roll his eyes.

“Who –“ Alan’s sentence breaks off when he sees Don.

“Who’s that?” Don hears a black man ask Granger.

“Don Eppes,” Granger says quietly.

“No way,” says the other man. “That guy’s like the fourth best shot in the country!”

“Third best,” Granger corrects in a whisper.

Thank you very much, Don adds in his head.

“When’s your friend getting here, Ian?” Alan asks. He cats a resigned glance over at his oldest son.

He knows, Don thinks, and has to suppress a sigh before he says, “Right here, Dad.”

“What? ” Charlie’s voice is almost a shriek, cracking hard on the only word in the sentence.

Alan sighs. “Long time, no see, son. You hungry?”

Don obviously can’t help a smile. “Burgers?”

“Of course. Cheese?”

“Sure. Got any beer.”

Alan smiles. “When do we not?”

“How the hell can you be so calm about this?” Charlie demands of their father. “Don, he’s... He’s...”

“Well, there isn’t a whole lot we can do about it, is there Charlie?” Alan says. “Your brother is the most stubborn person I’ve ever met, and you and Ian are tied for second. I really don’t think we’re going to change either of their minds.”

Charlie opens his mouth to say something, then stops and whips around to face Don. “Why didn’t you tell us?” he demands.

“See, I would have,” Don says. “But this guy...” He jabs his thumb in Ian’s direction, shaking his head.

“Don’t listen to anything he says,” Ian breaks in. “He’s a pathological liar.”

Don punches his arm playfully, smiling, and Charlie can’t help the guilt that rises up inside him.

They’re happy.

An hour later, they’re all seated around a huge picnic table Alan bought specially for these days. Beers have been passed out to all, and burgers are on everybody’s plate (except Larry, who’s opted for the mashed potatoes).

“A toast,” Alan says, standing up. “To my children. All of them,” he adds, glancing around at the team. “And to my oldest son, the third best shot in the country.”

“Th –“ Charlie starts, along with several other people, and then stops.

Don just smiles.

It’s later that night. Everyone’s gone home, and they’re at Ian’s apartment.

Ian collapses onto the bed, next to Don.

“Next time,” Ian whispers. “You could at least show up on time.”

“Next time,” Don counters. “You could at least tell me it’s at my dad’s house.”

Ian winces. Oh yeah.

“Sorry,” he whispers.

Don sighs. “I guess it could have gone worse.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Ian agrees. “I thought your brother was gonna explode when he figured it out.”

Don laughs. “And at least my dad got it right.”

“Got what right?”

“I’m not fourth anymore.”

Ian’s quiet for a moment. “I never said it wrong either.”

Don smiles. “I know. But I didn’t say anything ‘cause everyone was still a little bit in shock.”

He leans forward and quickly gives Ian a kiss. “Thank you for noticing,” he says when he pulls away.

Ian smiles. “Welcome.” He presses his forehead against Don’s, and they’re both quiet for a few moments.

“You should come home more often,” Ian says quietly.

“I know.” Don sighs. “The boss doesn’t like that too much, though.”

“So quit,” Ian says. “Come work for me. Sinclair’s a good guy, and Granger’s not as bad as he seems, and Liz and Megan are, well... they’re women. You know how they are.”

“What would your boss say?” Don asks warily.

“Merrick?” Ian snorts. “He’ll put a fight at first, but he’ll give up eventually.”

Don seems to think about it for a minute. “I’ll see what the boss says.”

“You do that.” Ian settles down in bed, slipping under the covers.

“‘Night, Don.”

“‘Night, Ian.”

And that’s the last thing he hears before he falls asleep.

End Comments: I originally intended for this fic to be much shorter, have a lot more emphasis on the Don/Ian bits, and have more Don-Alan interaction. Obviously, it didn’t turn out that way. This isn’t my favorite piece (Flashback, Flash Forward is :D), but I still like it. Comments are always appreciated</div>

Title: Flashback, Flash Forward
Chapter/Part: Part X: Hear
Author: broken_slash
Rating: T / PG-13
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Don/Ian
Warnings: Character Death
Summary: Ian wants him back.
Word Count: 140
Start Song: Crawling Towards the Sun - The Hush Sound
End Song: Medicine Man - The Hush Sound
Disclaimer: Hmph. If it was mine, Don/Ian would be canon.
Notes: Set the day after Vengeance.
On another note: CARLOS PENA MADE IT INTO THE ALL-STAR GAME! *dies* *comes back to life, huggles Carlos* YAYZ!

( Hear )</div>

Title: Flashback, Flash Forward
Chapter/Part: Part IX: Still
Author: broken_slash
Rating: T / PG-13
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Don/Ian
Warnings: Character Death
Summary: Ian wants him back.
Word Count: 140
Start Song: All of Your Love - Hellogoodbye
End Song: Don’t Stop the Music - Rihanna
Disclaimer: Hmph. If it was mine, Don/Ian would be canon.
Notes: The earliest one. Set before Girl. The very beginning of the relationship. Aw... lol

( Still )

Title: Flashback, Flash Forward
Chapter/Part: Part VIII: Girl
Author: broken_slash
Rating: T / PG-13
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Don/Ian
Warnings: Character Death
Summary: Ian wants him back.
Word Count: 140
Start Song: Things I’ll Never Say - Avril Lavigne
End Song: Don’t Tell Me - Avril Lavigne
Disclaimer: Hmph. If it was mine, Don/Ian would be canon.
Notes: Set before Dodgers, about three months into the relationship

( Girl )

Title: Flashback, Flash Forward
Author: broken_slash
Rating: T / PG-13
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Don/Ian, Alan, Charlie, David, Colby, Megan
Summary: Ian wants him back.
Start Song: Nine In the Afternoon - Panic  At the Disco
End Song: Medicine Man - The Hush Sound
Warnings: Character Death
Total Length: 21 pages written, 13 pages typed
Total Word Count: 2,845
Total Chapters: 10
Number of Chapters Posted: 10

By Order Posted	Chronological Order
1) Vengeance	1) Still
2) Breathe	2) Girl
3) Dodgers	3) Dodgers
4) Don	4) Gotta Go
5) Gotta Go	5) Ian
6) Habit	6) Habit
7) Ian	7) Don
8) Girl	8) Breathe
9) Still	9) Vengeance
10) Hear	10) Hear

Title: Flashback, Flash Forward
Chapter/Part: Part VII: Ian
Author: broken_slash
Rating: T / PG-13
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Don/Ian
Warnings: Character Death
Summary: Ian wants him back.
Word Count: 140
Start Song: Party’s Over - Son of Dork
End Song: The Great Escape - Boys Like Girls
Disclaimer: Hmph. If it was mine, Don/Ian would be canon.
Notes: Set after Gotta Go, but before Habit

( Ian )

Title: Flashback, Flash Forward
Chapter/Part: Part VI: Habit
Author: broken_slash
Rating: T / PG-13
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Don/Ian
Warnings: Character Death
Summary: Ian wants him back.
Word Count: 140
Start Song: Not Your Concern - The Hush Sound
End Song: 27 - Fall Out Boy
Disclaimer: Hmph. If it was mine, Don/Ian would be canon.
Notes: Set after Gotta Go.

( Habit )

Title: Flashback, Flash Forward
Chapter/Part: Part V: Gotta Go
Author: broken_slash
Rating: T / PG-13
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Don/Ian
Warnings: Character Death
Summary: Charlie knows something.
Word Count: 671
Start Song: Landing in London - 3 Doors Down
End Song: Sweet and Low - Augustana
Disclaimer: Hmph. If it was mine, Don/Ian would be canon.
Notes: Set six months before Vengeance, Breathe, and Don, and about two months after Dodgers.

( Gotta Go )

Title: Flashback, Flash Forward
Chapter/Part: Part IV: Don
Author: broken_slash
Rating: T / PG-13
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Don/Ian
Warnings: Character Death
Summary: Ian wants him back.
Word Count: 152
Start Song: Independence Day - Martina McBride
End Song: Take Me Away - Avril Lavigne
Disclaimer: Hmph. If it was mine, Don/Ian would be canon.
Notes: Set immediately before Breathe and Vengeance.

( Don )

Title: Flashback, Flash Forward
Chapter/Part: Part III: Dodgers
Author: broken_slash
Rating: T / PG-13
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Don/Ian
Warnings: Character Death
Summary: Ian wants him back.
Word Count: 224
Start Song: Lions Roar - The Hush Sound
End Song: Coffee’s for Closers - Fall Out Boy
Disclaimer: Hmph. If it was mine, Don/Ian would be canon.
Notes: Set about eight months before Breathe and Vengeance.

( Dodgers )

Title: Flashback, Flash Forward
Chapter/Part: Part II: Breathe
Author: broken_slash
Rating: T / PG-13
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Don/Ian
Warnings: Character Death
Summary: Ian wants him back.
Word Count: 142
Start Song: He Wasn’t - Avril Lavigne
End Song: Lions Roar - The Hush Sound
Disclaimer: Hmph. If it was mine, Don/Ian would be canon.
Notes: Set directly before Vengeance.

( Breathe )

Title: Flashback, Flash Forward
Chapter/Part: Part I: Vengeance
Author: broken_slash
Rating: T / PG-13
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Don/Ian
Warnings: Character Death
Summary: Ian wants him back.
Word Count: 220
Start Song: Nine In the Afternoon - Panic! At the Disco
End Song: He Wasn’t - Avril Lavigne
Disclaimer: Hmph. If it was mine, Don/Ian would be canon.
Notes: I was reading another Don/Ian fic (I can’t remember which one, just that Ian wanted someone to be in a lot of pain :D), and this idea popped into my head. It wouldn’t go away until I wrote it. :D

( Vengeance )