FIC: Morning Interlude
Title: Morning Interlude
Author: Valerie Vancollie (valeriev84 [at] hotmail.com)
Characters: Margaret, Don
Rating: PG
Summary: A moment of calm and reflection during the storm.
Spoilers: Uncertainty Principle, Vector, Counterfeit Reality
Note: This was written for the numb3rs100 word prompt hover.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Numb3rs characters, items or situations. I only lay claim to the original aspects of the fic.
Margaret stifled a groan as she woke; the aches and pains she was used to now, the burning in her throat she was not. Wanting to sleep more, she moved to turn herself when her hand came into contact with warm fingers. Looking over, she saw Don slumped over onto the bed in a position sure to pain him later.
As it had so often in the past weeks, Margaret felt the emotions rush through her as she looked at him. Don and Alan had alternated all night, staying with her as she was sick. Although she wanted to shift Don so he wouldn't be in pain later, she neither had the strength nor the heart to wake him. Now, with his face relaxed in sleep, the dark circles under his eyes seemed bigger than ever. They'd been his constant companions since he'd returned home.
Margaret felt a pang of guilt at the thought. Not only had Don rushed home to help, being there every step of the way, he'd left behind a great job and fiancée to do so. While he hadn't said anything, she knew the fact that Kim hadn't followed him wasn't a good sign.
She'd reached out to touch Don's face before she remembered what a light sleeper he was. That he didn't wake was a testament to his exhaustion. Willfully ignoring how pale her hand was compared to his skin, she enjoyed the simple pleasure of having her eldest so close and just being able to touch him. The ability to run her fingers through his hair and along the stubble of his cheek seemed far more precious than it should.
Carefully, Margaret shifted herself down the bed so she could lay with her cheek against Don's hair as she'd done when he was young.