Fic: Packing, Chapter 5 (Numb3rs, David / Ian)
Title: Packing, Chapter 5
Pair: Charlie Eppes / Colby Granger,
Don Eppes / Martin Fridegord,
David Sinclair / Ian Edgerton
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not mine, etc.
Feedback: Always Welcome
NUMB3RS Main List
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
“Why did want to tell me about it?” Ian asked slowly.
“Because…. I don’t know. I don’t even know why I told you about it. It was a really weird dream, but….”
“But you’d like to do that in real life. I know we haven’t been that good lately, but are we that far gone?”
“I… I didn’t mean I wanna do that. I wouldn’t do that.”
“You mean you wouldn’t cheat.” Ian paused. “Would you go after him if I told you to?”
“This whole conversation is ridiculous-”
“I’m flying back on the nightlight. My parents offered to take care of Caroline for a week before she goes back to school.”
“So you’re coming back alone.”
“Yeah. We need to settle this.”
“Okay. When’s your flight landing? I’ll pick you up from the airport.”
“I’ll be in L.A. pretty early in the morning, I’ll just take a cab.”
“You just asked if we’re that far and now you don’t even let me pick you up. That’s not a good sign.”
“I just want to handle some things first.”
“And you can’t even tell me what they are.”
“Sinclair, would you just shut up for a minute?” Ian was quiet for a moment. “I’m not the easiest person to live with and I’ve been distant after everything that happened with Sean. But you’ve been distant too.”
“I haven’t.”
“You have. Ever since Christmas. The closer you got to him the farther apart you went from me. You were tempted.”
“You’re dragging real people into this? I never made a move on him.”
“But you would. Maybe you should.”
“What? You…. I…. Let’s finish this conversation right here. I’ll see you when you get back.”
---------------------------------------------------
David was piling up the dishes from his breakfast into the sink when he heard the sound of the door.
“David?”
He followed the voice into the living room. Ian was sitting on the edge of the coffee table and Bobby was nervously pacing back and forth.
“Bobby? What’s going on?”
“I would like to know that too.” Bobby huffed. “This guy knocks on my door and just basically drags me here.”
“Ian?”
“He didn’t come willingly.” Sniper shrugged. “Not my fault.” “
”Does he do this often?” The blond ignored Ian and aimed his question to David.
“I don’t know what this is about.”
“Our problem.” Ian stated. “We don’t want to break up and we want to provide a good home for Caroline. You have some needs I can’t fulfil, so you got my blessing to go for it.”
“Would somebody translate for me?” Bobby demanded. “What needs are we talking about and why am I here?”
“You’re here because David wants you and that may improve our relationship.”
“Ian….” David took a good look at his pupils. “Have you been using some kinda medication?”
“No.”
“Are you drunk?”
“No.”
“Have you found religion? Some really freaky religion….”
“No. It’s simple: We’ll continue our life like we have before, you’ll just get some relief on the side.”
“Do I have anything to say about this?” Bobby looked seriously annoyed. “I’m not a stuffed animal, I’m not a Ken-doll and I’m not a hooker.”
“Sorry. Ian’s been a bit emotional lately-” David explained.
“What’s the big deal?” Ian interrupted. “You like him, he likes you. He fills one part of your needs and Caroline and I will fill the rest. It’s simple.”
“There’s nothing simple about this!” Bobby exclaimed. “I can’t decide if you’re nuts or really nuts.”
“Can you say you don’t want to do it?”
“That has nothing to do with it! Just because I want to do something doesn’t mean I should. And what exactly would you do? Wait behind the door till we’re done and then make us breakfast?”
“I…” Ian grinded his teeth like every word was a struggle. “I started seeing a therapist.”
“You did?” David stared at him with his mouth open. “Wow…. I mean…. You…. Wow….”
“You already said that.”
“This is like….like… like Don going to counselling. It’s like…. Cows flying or something.”
“Well, according to the therapist I’m so twisted I need a corkscrew to untangle them all.”
“Your therapist said that?”
“That part was off the record. He thinks I’m overly controlling and possessive. And that I have emotional blocks towards personal relationships.”
“Normally I would leave you two alone, except I don’t have my wallet with me because I got unexpectedly kidnapped.” Bobby interrupted. “Any chance of a ride back?”
“Not yet.” Ian stated. “I want you to think about it. We’re not friends and you don’t even really know me, but do it as favour for me.”
“You’re really serious about this?”
“Yeah.”
Bobby looked at David who seemed to be equally shaken. He took a step closer.
“If you were single I would definitely come after you. But I don’t know if I want to be the third wheel.” He took a deep breath. “I’ll think about it.”
“You will?”
“But… but I have one condition.”
“What?”
“You.” Bobby turned to Ian. “If we do it, I want you to be there. All three of us. And you’ll find yourself a second therapist.”
“For what?”
“Couples counselling.” He pulled out his cell phone. “And I need to call and make sure my neighbours know I’m fine. They saw a deranged looking man dragging me out of the building with a gun.”
Interlude
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Spoilers for upcoming chapters:
-Ian opens up to David
-Colby gives a serious warning
-Ian and Bobby discover a mutual interest