Round Zero
Title: Round Zero
Series: To Win His Heart
Chapter: Three
Author: FlamingWildflow
Pairing: Ian Edgerton/Don Eppes/Billy Cooper
Rating: PG-13, Fluff, Humor
Summary: Two highly skilled and stubborn agents. One oblivious love interest. This could only spell disaster for the team as they watch the chaos unfold in front of them as two of FBI's finest and notorious lone wolves fight for their boss's attention.
Warnings: None.
Links to Previous Chapter:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Megan
Megan knew that her boss was attractive. Hell! She has on multiple occasions checked him out herself. She and more than half of the people in the FBI office along with others that they’ve come across. Don just has something about him that makes you attracted to him, even when he’s being extremely stubborn. Despite that, the man was a good boss. He was harsh but fair, kind but stern, he listens to what everyone has to say and takes them into consideration, he never thinks of himself as above anyone even though he’s the boss, and he understands people in a way that makes Megan sometimes think that he should’ve been a profiler. The man had a talent for it.
In short, it was hard not to like him. So she wasn’t surprised to find out that the man has a lot of admirers. She’s seen it plenty of times before. People come up to Don to chat and flirt with him. And usually the man would flirt back, but that was it. Rarely had those conversations lead to a relationship. There were a handful of people that he ended up dating, but compared to the amount of people that were throwing themselves at him, it wasn’t much. What she was surprised about however, is to find out that two of the biggest names in the FBI fugitive hunting scene and notorious lone wolves were practically fighting over him.
“So, you’re looking to add Don into another notch on your bedpost?” Billy hissed. Megan only knew the man from the anecdotes she’s heard from both Don and the people in the office. It seemed that those two were practically the stuff of legends if the stories were to be believed. While she wasn’t familiar with the red-headed man, Megan could tell that he was pissed at the thought of his former partner being nothing more than another conquest.
Ian tensed, “What’s it to you?” he said as he stepped closer.
“I’m just looking out for my partner, that’s all” Billy replied.
Ian scoffed, “he hasn’t been your partner in years”.
“He hasn’t been in Quantico for years, yet here you are,” Billy pointed out.
“So you can’t fault me for caring about someone that I was friends with years ago,” Ian said.
Billy let out an incredulous laugh, “You? Caring about someone other than yourself? You know your reputation right? You don’t do ‘friends’”, That word was said with air quotes. “you never did”
“And you toss away yours as soon as they come,” Ian shot back.
Colby leaned closer to Megan and whispered, “Do you think we should break it up?”
Megan looked between the two men. They look like they’re about to have a fistfight in the middle of the FBI office. “Not yet” she whispered back, “I want to see where this goes”. She’ll break it up if it becomes too much.
“It feels like I’m dreaming…” David muttered, amazed. “I mean, I would never expect those two to stroll in today and fight over being Don’s favourite.”
“Yeah, seems a bit much, don’t you think?” Colby replied.
Megan shook her head. “That’s not what they’re fighting about”.
“It’s not? What other thing could they be fighting about?” Colby asked.
Megan rolled her eyes, “I swear you two are so oblivious. No wonder you’re still single” she muttered, turning her attention back to the argument.
“Why can’t you go and find someone else to bug?” Billy asked.
“Why are you so bothered about me being here?” Ian shot back.
Billy slammed his hand on the nearest desk. “It’s because he’s my partner damnit!” he hissed. “So hands off!”
“He hasn’t been your partner in years. He stopped being your partner when you let him walk out”. Ian leaned nearer, grinning menacingly, “Do you think he’ll even love someone who would easily let him go?”
As soon as he said that, Megan could see both David and Colby’s jaws drop. Is this all because of love? Colby mouthed to her, looking incredulous. She nodded. Then the three of them exchanged similar looks of oh boy…
“I didn’t let him go, he chose to go. I didn’t want to force him to stay”. Billy then jabbed a finger at Ian’s chest, “Also, that’s rich coming from you, Mr. One-Night-Stands. Do you think he’ll ever love someone with a history of disposing of his partners as soon as he’s done with them?” he asked smugly.
“You asshole…” Ian growled, clenching his fist.
“You fucker…” Billy replied, cracking his knuckles.
Looks like an intervention is in order. “Hey loverboys! Break it up!” Megan said, shoving herself in between them. “As amusing as it would be to see you two fight in the office, I don’t think Don would be happy about it”. She gave them a coy smile, “Unless of course, you want to upset him. Which in that case, be my guest.”
Both of the men stiffened before sighing. “Fine!” they both shouted, stepping away from each other.
“Great!” Megan grinned, clapping her hands.
Then, as if right on cue, Don came back, looking more tired than he was when he left. “Hey, did those two manage to kill each other while I was gone?”
Megan shook her head, “As you can see, still alive” she said, pointing to the two men who were on opposite sides of the room, crossing their arms and glaring at each other.
“Shame…would’ve saved me a lot of headaches”. Don sighed, “I have no clue what’s gotten into them…” he muttered, shaking his head at the juvenile display.
Megan stared at him, almost not believing the fact that he didn't notice that the two were in love with him and were fighting because of that. But then again, this was Don Eppes. Someone who was both extremely observant but also extremely dense, especially when it was about himself. “Me neither” she shrugged. “Anyways, what was that call about?”
“I’ll tell you guys a bit later,” he said. Turning to them, he gave the two an apologetic smile. “Sorry, but I don’t think I can hang out with anyone for the time being”.
“New case?” Ian asked, looking interested.
Don nodded as he waved a file around, “Yeah. Merrick just handed this to me earlier.” Billy and Ian exchanged looks. Suddenly, they started shoving each other as they rushed towards Don.
“I’LL HELP YOU!” They shouted over each other, crowding the shorter man. Megan almost laughed at their childish reactions. The intensity that blazed on their faces as they tried to outdo each other was too funny.
“Holy-!” Don placed his hands up in a vain attempt to stop them from knocking him over, “What’s with the enthusiasm?”
Probably realizing that they just made a spectacle of themselves, they both eased up, looking much calmer than they were a few seconds ago. “Nothing much,” Billy muttered.
“It’s just that you looked pretty tired lately, so I-” Suddenly Billy jabbed Ian in the ribs causing the other man to twitch, “-We think that we should help you out while we’re here.”
Don looked from one man to another, his expression skeptical. Megan couldn’t really blame him. Even with his oblivious nature, Don could tell that the two men were behaving stranger than what he was used to. “Really?”
Billy rolled his eyes, “Yes really” he replied, “Don’t you trust us?”
Don gave them both unimpressed looks, “Considering you two? Absolutely not.”
“Ouch” Ian winced, placing a hand over his heart. “After everything we’ve been through? I’m hurt.”
Don shook his head, amused. “How do I know that you two will behave while we work together?”
Both of them stared blankly. They clearly had no clue how to answer that. Megan decided to put those two out of their misery. She stepped up between them and placed each hand on both of their shoulders, “We’ll keep an eye on them, won’t we?” she asked, looking over at Colby and David. Thankfully both understood what she was trying to do because they both agreed, their heads nodding vigorously. Then she turned to look at her boss. “Come on Don, there’s no harm in asking them for help” she said, “who knows? Maybe they can find a way to work with each other by the end.”
“Or find a way to set the entirety of LA on fire…” Don muttered, looking unconvinced. “Why are you even advocating for them to help out anyways?”
Megan shot Don a stern look, “Because I know you haven’t been taking a break Don”. Don opened his mouth to protest, but Megan bulldozed over it, “Don’t lie to me. Both the janitors and security guards have told me their concerns about seeing you sleeping in the office for one hour a day on multiple occasions.”
Don clamped his mouth shut, probably realizing that fighting her would be an uphill battle. “Still…I’m not so sure…” this time he mostly looked uncomfortable, probably disliking the fact that he’s asking for help.
Megan rolled her eyes, “How about this? You let them both on the case and we all make sure that these two won’t kill each other while we investigate. In return, I won’t snitch to your Dad or Charlie about this little stunt.”
Don paled at the mention of his family. The Eppes were notorious mother hens, especially towards Don because he never asked for help. The threat of having those two ganging up to bully him into getting rest was far more effective than any other threat that Megan could come up with.
“You don’t play fair, do you Reeves?” he asked, his shoulders slumping with defeat.
“Considering my opponent? Never” she teased.
“Fine!” he groaned, throwing his hands up in defeat, “but they’re your responsibility, do I make myself clear?”
Megan nodded, “Crystal”.
Don let out a sigh before turning around, gesturing towards the war room. “Alright, I’ll brief you guys in there”.
“In a minute”. Looking at the two men beside her, she rolled her eyes when she saw that they both zeroed in on Don’s retreating figure as he walked away. “Hey! Eyes are up here pal” she said, snapping her fingers. Both men looked up, more annoyed than embarrassed.
“What is it?” Ian asked.
“I gave you two an opening by allowing you to be on this case, but I need you two to sort out your little love problem before something goes to hell. Can you do that?” she crossed her arms and stared at them, raising an eyebrow.
Billy grinned, “Oh don’t worry, I have an idea on how we’re going to solve this problem” Billy said, looking menacing. Then he turned towards Ian, “I challenge you to a competition. Whoever manages to win Don over will get him while the other has to back off.”
Ian’s smile was wide and predatory, “It’s on. Just don’t cry if you lose”.
“Oh I won’t lose.”
Megan shook her head. She might not be a religious person, but she sent a silent prayer to her poor boss. He definitely won't know what hit him. This will be an interesting week. She can't wait to see how it ends.