FIC: Surface (Crimin4l Numb3rs)
Title: Surface
Series: Crimin4l Numb3rs
Author: Valerie Vancollie (valeriev84 [at] hotmail.com)
Characters: Ian Edgerton, (Don)
Rating: PG
Summary: Edgerton ponders his greatest puzzle and challenge.
Spoilers: None
Timeline: Set between Learning and Luck. For a complete listing, see the Master List.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Numb3rs characters, items or situations. I only lay claim to the original aspects of the fic.
Ian growled as he observed Eppes' relaxed posture on the tape. He'd read the transcript of Sinclair's interview on the plane, but it said nothing of the man's attitude. It wasn't like it was unexpected, by now it was practically par for the course; it would be abnormal for Eppes to be anything but poised when interacting with LEOs. That didn't make it any easier to watch.
Or any less grating.
While it was unfortunate that he'd missed the interview, Edgerton knew better than to think he'd have been able to alter the outcome. He'd gone enough rounds with Eppes to know that the interrogation room wasn't where he'd catch him, but that didn't mean he wouldn't watch all the footage he could get his hands on. It provided him with a ton of information on the man, especially when he didn't realize he was being filmed, or before he'd had a need to hide his true self.
Inevitably, Ian found himself drawn to Eppes' eyes. Despite the fact that he didn't believe in the whole 'window to the soul' cliché, he knew from experience that eyes could often be very telling. Yet, whether calculating, cold or smoldering, Eppes revealed little other than what he wanted to these days.
In the past...
In the past, however, his eyes had revealed a wealth of information. From the joy and pride on his graduation, to the determination and intelligence in his classes, to the mischief and playfulness with his brother, they told Ian a whole story. They told him about the man behind the mask. The man behind his toughest case.
The man he was determined to bring down.
Slowly he was learning just who Don Eppes was and how he thought. When he did, he'd use it lock him away forever.