Numb3rs Fic: Different Paths
Written for n3_challenge Don Eppes Birthday Challenge
Crossposted to numb3rs_fic
Title: Different Paths
Pairing/Characters: Don, Charlie, Alan
Rating: PG13
Spoilers: Season 1
Summary: Don reaches his peak in his third season with the Dodgers (AU)
Notes/Warnings: Read the disclaimer on my LJ
"Now batting for the Dodgers, Number 16, third baseman Don Eppes..."
A low roar of cheers and applause rose up from Dodger Stadium as the popular slugger approached home plate.
The Dodgervision video screen showed a close up of Don's face, a study in concentration, focus and determination.
The away team's pitcher stared him down from the mound. Don's batting average preceded him and with a runner already on second base he was a threat to be reckoned with. A double could drive a man in and tie the game. A home run would win it.
The first pitch went wide: low and outside.
From a box seat nearby a curly headed genius was yelling about low and outside statistics.
The second pitch overcompensated and Don had to leap back from the plate to avoid being hit by the pitch.
He stepped out of the batting box, giving himself a moment to swing his bat a little before stepping back to the plate.
Strike one. The die hard fans booed the umpire for the call on the clearly borderline ball.
The next pitch connected, but the ball flew off into the crowd: foul ball.
Don stepped away from the plate again, swung his bat a few times then squared his shoulders and took his position again.
The wind up...
The pitch...
The crack of the bat resonated throughout the stadium followed by the cheers of tens of thousands of fans leaping from their seats as the ball sailed over the right field wall.
Don took off for his victory jog around the bases, lifting his cap to the fans as he followed his teammate in as the game winning run.
+
"Donnie!"
"Hey, Pop!"
Don embraced his father, accepting his vigorous pats on the back.
"Home run! My boy won the game! I couldn't be prouder."
"Don..."
"Hey, buddy!" Don stepped forward to embrace his younger brother next. "The NSA let you off duty long enough for a game?"
"Nah, I'm playing hooky," Charlie joshed. "But it was worth it. Man, that was great! You were great!"
"Thanks. I tell you it felt damn good. You know..." He shook his head even as a contented smile graced his face. "I can't imagine doing anything else but playing baseball. There's nothing like knowing where you belong..."
"And being the best at it..." Charlie added.
+
"To my sons!" Alan said, raising a glass at the dinner table. "One a star Major League baseball player and one a world class mathematician and the NSA's top cryptographer."
Don and Charlie raised their glasses and all three men drank the last of their champagne.
"Can I bring you another bottle, Sir?" the waiter asked Alan.
"That would be excellent," Alan said brightly. "We have a lot to celebrate."
"Yeah, like the City Council unanimously voting to approve your citywide redevelopment plan!" Charlie threw out.
The waiter stopped the passing sommelier. "Another bottle of champagne for Mayor Eppes' table."
Don leaned back in his chair.
"This is the life, isn't it..."
=
Crossposted to numb3rs_fic
Title: Different Paths
Pairing/Characters: Don, Charlie, Alan
Rating: PG13
Spoilers: Season 1
Summary: Don reaches his peak in his third season with the Dodgers (AU)
Notes/Warnings: Read the disclaimer on my LJ
"Now batting for the Dodgers, Number 16, third baseman Don Eppes..."
A low roar of cheers and applause rose up from Dodger Stadium as the popular slugger approached home plate.
The Dodgervision video screen showed a close up of Don's face, a study in concentration, focus and determination.
The away team's pitcher stared him down from the mound. Don's batting average preceded him and with a runner already on second base he was a threat to be reckoned with. A double could drive a man in and tie the game. A home run would win it.
The first pitch went wide: low and outside.
From a box seat nearby a curly headed genius was yelling about low and outside statistics.
The second pitch overcompensated and Don had to leap back from the plate to avoid being hit by the pitch.
He stepped out of the batting box, giving himself a moment to swing his bat a little before stepping back to the plate.
Strike one. The die hard fans booed the umpire for the call on the clearly borderline ball.
The next pitch connected, but the ball flew off into the crowd: foul ball.
Don stepped away from the plate again, swung his bat a few times then squared his shoulders and took his position again.
The wind up...
The pitch...
The crack of the bat resonated throughout the stadium followed by the cheers of tens of thousands of fans leaping from their seats as the ball sailed over the right field wall.
Don took off for his victory jog around the bases, lifting his cap to the fans as he followed his teammate in as the game winning run.
+
"Donnie!"
"Hey, Pop!"
Don embraced his father, accepting his vigorous pats on the back.
"Home run! My boy won the game! I couldn't be prouder."
"Don..."
"Hey, buddy!" Don stepped forward to embrace his younger brother next. "The NSA let you off duty long enough for a game?"
"Nah, I'm playing hooky," Charlie joshed. "But it was worth it. Man, that was great! You were great!"
"Thanks. I tell you it felt damn good. You know..." He shook his head even as a contented smile graced his face. "I can't imagine doing anything else but playing baseball. There's nothing like knowing where you belong..."
"And being the best at it..." Charlie added.
+
"To my sons!" Alan said, raising a glass at the dinner table. "One a star Major League baseball player and one a world class mathematician and the NSA's top cryptographer."
Don and Charlie raised their glasses and all three men drank the last of their champagne.
"Can I bring you another bottle, Sir?" the waiter asked Alan.
"That would be excellent," Alan said brightly. "We have a lot to celebrate."
"Yeah, like the City Council unanimously voting to approve your citywide redevelopment plan!" Charlie threw out.
The waiter stopped the passing sommelier. "Another bottle of champagne for Mayor Eppes' table."
Don leaned back in his chair.
"This is the life, isn't it..."
=